Question about sailing non-stock Hobies in events

I am a very active Hobie 16 sailor in support of what the NAHCA did in regards to not allowing non-hobies at Hobie regattas. My one question is what will happen to Hobies that don't have enough boats for a class or have a modifcation such as a spinnaker? For example I bought a spinnaker kit for my Hobie 16 mainly for distance racing and did some last year but I plan on doing some around the bouys events with it also in the next few years. Will this boat be allowed to race in Hobie only events under the new rules, or will I be limited to non-Hobie events?

Thanks,
Sean

A good question Sean,

Assuming you bought the spinnaker kit from H-Corp., then you would be class legal at some races, somewhere, sometime, I just don't know which.

But what about boats with other rule violations?
A parent with two little kids on an H-20?
An H-16 single-handed?
An H-17 with a square-topped, Elliot-Pattison main?
A cat with H-18 hulls, Prindle crossbars, Nacra mast and H-20 mainsail and custom jib?
Where will NAHCA draw the line?

My boat does not have the stock spinnaker kit that can be purchased from Hobie Cat Company. My spinnaker was built by Smyth Sails in Fort Walton Beach Florida. If the Hobie 16 spinnaker class starts to grow locally I might consider buying the Hobie one. The reason I am asking is they never specifed what was considered a "Hobie" for the purpose of defining what boats could particpate in "Hobie" events.

Sean

I don't think you could race because you are not one design. If you have changed anything on your boat that does not meet the one design rules you can not race in a Hobie Regatta. There is some talk about adding a spin to the Hobie 16 for class racing but I don't think it will happen for a long time.

Welcome to the X class Hobie does not want you any more.

David

All great questions which can be directed to the Hobie Class Association at: http://www.xavierinnovations.com/ximail/ximail.htm

My one comment, if you showed up at a Laser regatta with a Laser hull, a Snipe mast and sail, a lightning centerboard and rudder, and a single trapeze, what class would they put you in? Laser unlimited? Would they allow you to sail? Maybe in the future there could be a Hobie unlimited class? Only time will tell.

Greg Thomas

Thanks for the clarrification. This means I will have to stick to using my spinnaker in non-hobie events. Also, if I add a spinnaker tang to my mast will I be outside the H-16 class rules? If this is the case I will have to get a 2nd mast for spinnaker sailing. I had one on my other boat's mast and never had an issue even sailing in the youth portion of the Hobie 16 CC ths year in Delaware.

To anyone else out there who had similar questions regarding sailing non-stock Hobie's in Hobie events I e-mailed the NAHCA and received the following response from Rich McVeigh (Rich, I aplogize in advance if this upsets you, I just posted it as information to other interested parties, if it upsets you let me know and I will remove it).

Basically what it means is that if the boat has any modifications not permitted in the class rules for that particular boat they will not be allowed to sail in Hobie Class Sanctioned Events.

"In order to sail in any Hobie Class sanctioned event you need to ensure
your boat in compliance with the IHCA class rules as outlined on the
IHCA web site at www.hobieclass.com. Specifically this would mean that
no a spinaker is not legal on a Hobie 16. You are of course able to use
your spinaker in non-class sanctioned events and open events scored by
portsmouth. You may ask how can I tell the difference? The type of
event you are entering should be clearly spelled out in the notice of
race (NOR).

Sincerely,
Rich
Hobie Class Chair"

Under my interpretation you would be within the rules racing your H16 with the extra tang. You will be gaining no advantage with the extra tang, unless of course you had a spinnaker attached to it.

According to the rules I don't think you could race with the tang on your mast even though I don't think any one would care, but you could get protested unless you get aproval first. Do you have a comptip?

ONE-DESIGN CLASS RACING
The design and development of Hobie Catamarans
are directed towards strict one-design
classes where the true test is between sailors
and sailing skill, and not boats. Any alterations
to the hull form, construction, equipment, spars,
sails or running rigging, as supplied by the
builder except as is specifically authorized by
these rules, are a breach of these rules, both in
spirit and in substance, and are prohibited.
4. LOOPHOLES
IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE FOUND A LOOPHOLE,
READ THE PRECEDING STATEMENTS
AGAIN. THESE ARE THE BASIS OF
THE RULES AND COVER ALL AREAS NOT
COVERED IN THE RULES. GENERALLY, IF
YOU CANNOT FIND IT LISTED IN THE
RULES, IT IS NOT CLASS LEGAL. IF YOU
ARE IN DOUBT, CHECK WITH THE IHCA

David Lennard

Never done it on a Hobie 16 but we all have bails and stuff for out spin on H20's and its never been a problem. If anyone protest you they are probably just mad because you are a better sailor than they are.


Thanks,
Brad Stephens
www.sunjammers.com<------new site!
Authorized Hobie/Vanguard Dealer
Division 15 Chairman
Panama City Beach, FL
[email protected]
850-235-2281

I do have a comptip on my mast. If I wanted to get approval who would I go to to get it from?

The above are not rule violations as long as the ONE-DESIGN CLASS minimum weight is achieved.

I've been beaten by a single-handed Hobie 18 before, he made minimum by carrying less than 50 lbs. of weight per the class rules. And if I remember correctly he also sailed in at least one Hobie 18 National by himself.

Greg Thomas

Hobie 16 sailor
http://www.hobieclass.com/
You can contact the IHCA president Pul Ulibarri

It does say in the rules that the H20 can have a mast tang for spin but I could not find any thing about the H16. I would think that a rule allowing a mast tang on the H16 would be comming soon.


Greg

I raced at a H18 Nationals in FL. and that same guy was there and he was very competive.
I also think Mike has sold your old Tiger. I talked to the potential buyer tonight.

I've already sent a message to the rules committee for clarification on the H16 mast issue.

Thanks Dave, glad to hear the boat sold.

Greg Thomas

_________________
Greg Thomas
Hobie Factory Team

According to the IHCA rules committee, leaving the spin tang on the mast for one design racing does NOT make the boat illegal.

Greg Thomas