1st time out got the #@!! scared out of me.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iBUiNMrOigBZfZ9RzXXIfg?feat=directlink
Here is my Hobie on my beach. This was before I moved it to the point you see on the far left of picture. I had taken it out with an experienced friend on a very very calm day and all went uneventful. Yesterday, I took my son out, and the wind was blowing out to the lake. We got the boat in the water but still secure underneath and hoisted the jib. But the wind caught us and sent us out before we even got the main up. I turned into the wind and we got the main up with a lot of effort. The wind was very strong and we were flying. We were both very afraid. I just didn't want to flip it over. We were out for about 15 minutes and I just felt a little overwhelmed. upon one tack, I noticed that we were heading straight for the point. With a little relief I decided to just sail back to the point. As we got close and in shallow water we dropped the sails, pulled the boat up and drank a gallon of water. So, I MUST aim the boat into the wind even if it is backwards, correct? and then get it off ground and turn it. At what point do you get on and go? It seams that as soon as you turn it it will want to pitch, or take of like a flash. Do you just expect that and jump on? The point of land is nice because I should be able to come in from about any angle of sail. Also, at what wind speed does it flip???? I know to let the sheet out, but I need way more experience to get the feel of this amazingly fast boat. Thanks

Always rig and park with the boat pointing into the wind. Launching with off shore wind: If light, it's fairly easy to just point the boat off the wind and go. Kind of hard to steer until you get the rudders locked down, though. For heavy wind, release the jib, center the main traveller and take the slack out of the main sheet, leave the rudders up out of the water, shove off and sit on the bows. With the main windvaned, nothing turning the sterns, and the bows buried, you will calmly drift out with the bows still pointing into the wind. When you are clear of shore and have enough water to lock down rudders, let 'er rip!

_________________
Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16

Welcome to Hobie sailing! There is a lot of good information on this forum if you just browse through. I would also suggest picking up a book and learning all you can. I have been reading Catamaran Sailing: From Start to Finish by Phil Berman and Catamaran Racing for the 90's by Rick White. The former is a good overview on the basics and the latter is a good intermediate book to get you thinking about the finer points of sailing. I've read both but I'm still a complete rookie.

_________________
Zach

I pull all the sails up on the beach and walk it out pulling from the bows until the water is plenty deep for the crew (who is on the boat the whole time) to lock the rudders down. I leave the main sheeted out with the sheet on the side I am getting on. The hot stick should be there as well. When I am ready I walk to the back of the boat turning it 90 degrees to the wind and in a quick motion jump on and gain immediate control of the tiller and sheet in.

_________________
2010 AHPC C2 #218

I like rattle and hum's approach. Because it will usually be an off shore wind. At my launch point I should be good for all winds except north because of the reeds.
What is the least wind speed needed to tip the boat over?

Well that depends. My fiance flipped her h16 in about 8mph last week end. Thats less than 130 pounds on the boat though.

_________________
2010 AHPC C2 #218

Damn, 130 lb and sailing a H16 solo?

That's guts!

So, you're new to this but it sounds like your fiance has had one for a little longer? Must be great to be with someone who shares your passion to that extent.

_________________
'97 Hobie 16.

Skype: rob_arnolda

OK…all of these tips are great!!! Also this forum is great and you should keep reading and asking questions. Read first…because chances are that another Hobie guy has asked that same thing.
I am still pretty new but things are going real well in my sailing and I have been enjoying the snowball type effect.

Here is my two cents…You seem to have an amazing location! Put the sails up on the beach pointing into the wind. You should be able to grab the Dolphin striker (vertical bar under the mast below the tramp) and jerk the boat around to what ever direction you need. I have put sails up in the water and it sucks. Do it on land until you are a pro. I do all of my rigging and prep work on land. Then my crew and I push boat into the shallow water and I send them aboard. I push a little more and jump on anyway I can…be ready to sail!!!! Good luck man, it has changed my life! oh ya go when there is not much wind and work your way up in mph

_________________
Hobie 16 1980
TequilaSunrise Blue Hulls CCMP1393M80F

Iclickjohn, WELCOME !!!!! And CONGRATS !!!!
I do exactly what Bacho does, but in the beginning, I only sailed in low wind conditions of about 5-7 knots, slow, but SAFE !!!
Crap, I don`t want to scare you, but you should not take your son sailing until YOU have mastered it, and then you teach him what to do if......
The other day, was windy, I took off just like Bacho explained, and the 16 just started going fast before I manage to board and take control, luckily, I was able to board while the 16 was doing 5-8 knots speed, if not, my coplitot friend would not know what to do to bring it back. Anyways, I instructed her to jump off the 16 and let it go, I will recover it later if I can. I will never lock the rudders ( tied ) again, thats what caused it to sail away. BIG MISTAKE from me.
By the way, beautiful place you have there man !!

And Bacho, does your fiancee have a single sister who sails and speaks spanish and who will like to be my copilot ? jejeje, just kidding !!! Man is it hard to find female copilots who have the guts to sail Hobie 16 `s. All the girls here all they want is going to the Mall and ride fine cars to restaurants and concerts. Not many sport oriented girls around this Island.
Juan

_________________
Every second that passes cannot be recovered, so make good use of every one of them that you have left.