Hobie T2 (revised version of Euro-only Tatoo)

Looks like a rototmolded version of the NACRA 500. Both boats appear to have very similar specs and features.

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When the European acquisition was announced I took a good look at the models and the Tattoo is the one that caught my eye as a favorite and as a very versatile model.

Questions on the Tattoo specs (which may or may not apply to the T2 as delivered):
What is the "patented removable keel system"/"Interchangeable keel system"?
"Jib sheet fixed on front crossbar" does this mean that the jib is not adjustable: no traveler, no cleats for the crew to work? The parts guide looks like there is a track for a traveler but I'm not sure.

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Jonathan
'85 H16 __/) 87468 Tidal Wave

If you look at the first photo posted in this thread, you can see there is a dark line at the bottom of the keel - this appears to be what they are referring to. It looks like a wearing strip (anodized aluminum?) to prevent excess wear on the bottom of the keels.

In this photo:

You can see the jib sheet attachment on the front crossbar. There doesn't appear to be a traveler - cleats are mounted directly to the crossbar with an eyestrap.

That's exactly it: a wear strip that is easily replaceable!

Several HCE-designed cat models, notably those targeted at youth training and club markets, incorporate a wooden and/or composite wear strip. This addresses the excessive wear that GFK hulls experience when operating on sandy beaches. The obvious culprit of this wear is regular, or even just occasional, "beaching" of the cat on a beach, without babying and religious use of beach wheels (starting in the water, not in the sand)!

I personally think the wear strip is a genius feature for anybody but the most serious and speed-addicted competitive sailors. Repairing and/or reinforcing the bottom of fiber-glass hulls is a major PITA!

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-Roland
Sailing vintage Hobie Cats in West Africa.

Looks like it's going to be a great boat, because the Tatoo is aesthetically a beaut. Does anyone know if the two-part mast will be able to be raised/lowered at the dock for those of us who don't keep the boat on the water? I'm wondering if rigging will be as easy/quick as the Wave or as challenging as the Getaway?
AMF, Erie PA

More similar to the Getaway as far as rigging. Main and Jib.

Stepping a mast on the water would be difficult. Most would step on the trailer... then launch.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I am liking this, but those skegs would be a PITA where I sail. It is muchy mud and grass. I have helped pull out a Getaway and that was one mother trucker to pull off the grass.......


Like a giant claw!

I do like the thought of rotomold and it's a nice looking boat. But it's 68lbs heavier that my 16 with 46sq ft less sail area. I guess I'd have to sail one before I could make a switch.

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Buxton
18' T16 Silent Lightning (16' T2 Hybrid)
11' H16 White Lightning
79' H16 Green Lightning

I'm wondering why the capacity of the T2 at ~530 lbs is a lot less than the wave at ~800 lbs and the Getaway at ~1000 lbs .... gotta be a typo?

The capacity is listed as per the Euro specification, which is much more restrictive than we are in the USA. In EU the capacity of a Wave is 363lb and the Getaway is 660lbs

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Jacques Bernier
http://www.hobie.com/
http://www.facebook.com/HobieCatCompany

Questions...

The sail area at 172 sq ft includes the jib. So the jib is in the basic package...

Drawing shows trap lines. But trap optional?

The Wave's hulls weighs 75 lbs apiece. If the total weight of the Wave is 250 lbs, that means the T2's hulls weigh about 115 lbs apiece? Less?

Will the Mast Stepper III work with the T2?

Will the mast need to be glued like the Getaway or can it be kept in two pieces like the Wave's mast?

Will that funky little furled spin in the video be a spin option for the T2?

Also, it looks like it has a traveler and will that be basic package?

Specifications show jib and double trapeze standard.

http://www.hobiecat.com/sail/t2/specs/

Traveler is standard.

Mast is Hobie 16 with a base like the Wave, but also has a slot in the side, Stepper III may work.

Mast should be glued.

There are furling Gennaker and Snuffer spinnaker options.

T2 is most similar to the Getaway in weight.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Matt-
When you say the mast should be glued, what's the downside to not glueing? Would it be just as stable while on the water?
What I'd like to do is have a non-glued two-piece mast for easy transport on the trailer as I do with my Wave: lower mast strapped to trailer and upper comp part bungee'd loosely to tramp.
I'm hoping the mast would also be as steppable by one person as the Wave's is .... it's only 6ft longer .... think that's likely?

No, the mast should be one piece. We tried that with the Getaway. A loose upper with that much load causes slop and damage at the joint.

Long masts are carried on a forward cradle to lift the mast above the tow vehicle.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I edited my comments about mast rotation, Jacques corrected me. I didn't see the side slot on the underside. The mast does rotate for stepping. I have to review the bracket fit to see if the stepper III is compatible with this mast section. It is a different profile and the bracket is designed for a perfect fit on the H17/Getaway mast foil shape.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)