switching from sunfish to hobie in Melbourne FL

Hello everyone, I'm a student at Purdue and I will be working in Melbourne, FL this summer. I have a '69 sunfish with a trailer in great condition for its age. Problem is I'm beginning to plateau with the amount that I'm learning and it just isn't as fun anymore. I'm thinking about trading my sunfish for a hobie 16 (I realize this isn't a straight trade but I can pay the difference).

My question is would a h16 be a good boat for me to take with me to Melbourne? I will most likely first start out sailing with a friend but I plan to be able to go solo some afternoons after work. I weight 205 lbs so I think that I would atleast have a chance at righting her when she capsizes.

Are there any forum members along the space coast? Can you give me some info on good places to sail around Melbourne? I've never sailed in the ocean so I'm sure there is a lot for me to learn.

Anyway, I look forward to your responses. Its nice meeting all of you.

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Zach

There are numerous places along the intracoastal to put in at. Try this link, it's a local Hobie Dealer.

http://www.performancesailandsport.com/

Titusville has a spot that all the locals go to across the new bridge on the way to Playalinda. Cocoa Beach has a couple of good spots for beach access.

hope this helps.

paul

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Paul

2013 Tandem Island

Great choice to switch to the H16. You will LOVE it. so much speed

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'72 Hobie 16
with
#56 Gonzo Nationals

Any tips on learning to sail an h16 out on the surf?

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Zach

Plenty of spots in intercoastal to practice then you can head out into ocean. Summer months the ocean is fairly calm with a good afternoon sea breeze that is usually sideshore. You won't be disappointed in the boat or the location. I would look into some Cat Trax if you plan on moving the boat around on the beach. They make life a whole lot easier in the soft sand.

I went to school in Melbourne (FIT) for four years (this was 10 years ago). Almost all of my sailing was windsurfing. It's a nice area to sail since you have nearby access to both ocean and bay (intercoastal) sailing. Of course windsurfing was easy to find access, a Hobie might be a little more difficult on the ocean side. Not sure you'd be able to put your boat on the beach just anywhere. On the river side, there's a park called Scurrah's Landing (on the mainland side) which has (had) a beach launching area and trailer parking.

sm

That's the same switch I made 20 years ago. Sunfish to H16. I still have my Sunfish but I don't think I've sailed it since I got the 16. Congrats and enjoy the speed!

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1990 "Formula 1" H16 (# 009)

Sailing in the surf can be a challenge if you don't know what you are doing. I would advise against going out with large swells and/or direct onshore (east) or offshore (west) winds. During the summer months the ocean is pretty calm and the breeze picks up in the afternoons (but watch out for thunderstorms). When launching try to keep the bow directly into the waves. When returning through the breakers keep the bow pointed straight at the shore (the boat will ride the waves so keep it straight). The worst move you can make when coming in or out is getting sideways in the breakers. Once outside the breakers sailing in the ocean is a blast. If you want to come up to Daytona I'll be glad to give you check out ride on our beachcat. Don't know about the rules/regulations of launching on the beach in Brevard County but up here in Volusia its pretty wide open. Like I said before, the cat trax are a life saver in the soft sand.

I like to launch out of Ballard Park here in Melbourne. Its a little tricky tacking in the narrow channel depending on the wind direction. I sometimes have to cheat and use a paddle to get the boat to turn, but I like that the ramp is protected from the usual onshore winds.

Eric

Hello PurdueZach!

I've sailed on a Hobie Wave twice and ended up purchasing a used Hobie 16 about a month ago, and I live in Melbourne, FL. The intercoastal is great to sail in! When you get down there, right on US1 (next to Pineda causeway) there is a park that has both a regular boat launching area and a beach access to launch from. Scott over at Performance Sail hosts races now and then from this area and a lot of cats show up and sail from here.

If you were to go over the Pineda causeway you would first go over the intercoastal and would be on Merritt Island ...as you keep going over the causeway you will go over the Banana River and then end up on the barrier island (I believe that's what it's called?) where A1A is. I just got done sailing on the Banana River today as I keep my boat at Patrick Air Force Base. There is a race there the second Saturday of each month from somewhere around March until November. Most of the people that do these races are all monohulls, but they are still very friendly and dont care if cats come out to race, as you are racing with a handicap anyways.

I have yet to find a way to take my Hobie onto the ocean without going down to Sebastian or up to the Cape. I really dont want to go out on the ocean yet though as I've only been out on my boat 6 or 7 times, and today I capsized and wasnt able to solo right it; I was waiting on my hull until a powerboat showed up to save my butt.

mwworlando,

Would you be willing to extend that ocean trip offer out to others? I would love to bring my boat up to Daytona and go out on the ocean as I have never done this yet ...but I'm unwilling to go alone or with others who havent been.

Ringo, we'll have to meet up when I get there this Summer. I'll be working with Rockwell Collins in Melbourne. I'm hoping to get off work every day and be able to get a few hours in on my boat before nightfall.

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Zach

I'll be glad to take anyone out in the ocean anytime although the season is coming to an end (wind, cold water, and the not so dry Hobie 16 not a good mix). I also am a former Sunfish sailor and am fairly new to the Hobie 16. I learned from one of my friends who was the Big Kahuna of Hobie Cat ocean racing back in the day. Like I said above, the critical time is coming in and going out. Other than that the ocean is pretty forgiving and a great place to sail. We sail up and down the beach with our toddler all summer long. You can launch wherever you want up here. I have Cat Trax so its pretty easy to launch and recover. My email is [email protected].

my son and i have a hobie 16. we were going to sell it but he might consider a trade and cash. if interested, call me at 904-210-6149. we and the boat are in jacksonville, fla.

I thought I would update you guys. I sold my sunfish this morning and am going to see a Hobie 16 tomorrow. It seems like a pretty good deal. I'll attach some pictures. The guy has one full ready to sail boat, extra set of hulls, extra sets of sails, extra tramp and frame, 2 harnesses, and a trailer.

mwworlando, would you want to go out with me and show me the ropes? I've been sailing on the Indian River near the Pineda Causeway on my sunfish.

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Zach

Sure. Just send me an email and we'll set something up. Mine is off the beach right now getting some minor work done for the summer season. Should be done in a week or so. Great wind the last few days and the surf has been pretty mellow.
[email protected]