Launching and Landing at the Beach

Many moons ago I sailed a monohull Force 5. While coming in from the ocean (SC Coast, Debordieu Beach) I was swamped from an aft wave and it rolled me in 3 feet of water and snapped my mast.

Now I am taking my new to me H18 and would like to know your tips on avoiding a major repair when launching and landing at the beach. What level of waves is the boat steady in? What size waves should this newbe avoid?

Thank you!!

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1984 Hobie 18

Big steep waves and wind on the nose is a recipe for disaster. The cat will not swamp but can be rolled over backwards in big surf. The 18 does well in waves and as long as you avoid any conditions that you think may be hairy you will be ok.
Points to remember are never get the boat sideways in the waves, go straight out and in. Don't over sheet the main going out, let the jib pull the boat. If the main gets too powered up it will push you on the wave tops and take you into irons. It really depends on wind strength and angle vs wave height. Once you get through the break its all good.

Thank you ncmbm.

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1984 Hobie 18

Get your crew up on the front crossbar to help punch through the waves, I prefer rudders locked down as soon as possible.

If boat is tossed sideways, try and get hold of mast and then guide her back to beach that way - Remember your safety is more important than the boat.

When coming back in get crew to sit right at back with you, just before hitting beach, prerelease rudders.

Thanks again, makes sense - will do.

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1984 Hobie 18

Definitely finding the launching part a bit challenging myself, especially when the wind isn't blowing in the "right" direction. I guess I'm still getting the hang of trimming the main and I'm worried I'm going to snap another rudder if I screw up and the boat blows backwards onto the beach (and, of course I can't steer without them). I gather the jib should be unfurled before I launch?

Aside: I had my first unbelievable sail yesterday evening. Took her out immediately after work and sailed for 3 hours in a really nice breeze until darkness forced us back to the beach. The boat performed beautifully and only took on about a cup of water in each hull. We even managed to momentarily fly a hull despite 450# of "beer ballast" between my friend and me. Thanks again, Caleb, for the EPOs. They're working great. This boat is turning out to be one of the better purchases I've made in some time. I couldn't be more pleased. Happy sailing to all.

Definitely finding the launching part a bit challenging myself, especially when the wind isn't blowing in the "right" direction.


Just completed my first week of launching and landing at the beach. It was great and the 18 is very stable in the surf. The only "hairy" experience I had was when the surf (3-4') waves were very close together and the wind was not strong enough to power me past the breakers. I had some pushers that finally helped me get past the breakers.

Had some great advice before I did this. Set the main traveler out 12" -18" from center. Sheet down the main but not too firmly. Unfurl the jib and sheet it down - the jib is what powers you thru the surf. The Main will want to turn you upwind which you dont need in the surf. Lower but of course dont lock down the rudders. Stay as straight into the waves as you can. Keep weight as forward as you can and if you have passengers balance the weight on each side.

Coming, keep weight back. Come in under power and if the wind is strong enough let it power you past the waves. Unlock the rudders but dont lock them up (I do this since I have the old style castings). An added move is to turn the cat upwind when you are in the shallow end of the surf (assuming an ocean breeze). The key is to keep the boat perpindicular to the waves. Its a great surf in - keep your weight back and balanced when landing.

Have fun!!

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1984 Hobie 18