Hobie History Mystery

Today I was digging through some old paperwork that was given to me when I bought my Hobie 16 a few years ago to find something. While I was at it I started to try tracking down the man I bought it from, because I always wanted to show him what has become of the boat he sold me, but that's not where the mystery leads. In the folder I have there is a May 1974 copy of the Hobie Cat Hot Line addressed to a Fred O. Miller of Saginaw, Michigan as well as a Probate court of Saginaw County Letters of Authority talking about the estate of Frederick O. Miller. Don't ask me how this ended up in here, in the 3 years I have had this boat I have never noticed it. Anyways, through random curiosity I did a Google search of this mans name and "hobie" just to see what would come up and it turns out that there is a 1976 book called "Multi-hull racing: The Hobie Cats" written by Fred Miller. While I can only image that Fred Miller is a notoriously common name I can't help but wonder if I have the boat of a past Hobie great. The boat was certainly an early 70's boat as it only comes in at number 6 on the sail pattern guide, so time frame its at least consistent with a Hobie writer from the mid 70's. If anyone has any hints, clues, or information that would help fill in this puzzle that itself would be beyond expectations, and honestly I can't help but wonder if he is any connection to our very own mmiller.

Unfortunately this mystery was not easy and that's not my boat on the cover.


A lot has changed since this photo.

_________________
Catamaran Racing Association of Michigan - Marketing Officer
USF18 - Social Media Manager

2010 NACRA Infusion
2004 F18 Hobie Tiger - SOLD
Hobie 16 - BREAKPOINT - SOLD

No connection to me.

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

And I think Fred Miller was a professional writer that cleaned up Phil Berman's (the Hobie expert) writing.

Well I really didn't expect much, but I figured I had enough circumstantial pieces to at least ask. Thanks for the feedback guys.

_________________
Catamaran Racing Association of Michigan - Marketing Officer
USF18 - Social Media Manager

2010 NACRA Infusion
2004 F18 Hobie Tiger - SOLD
Hobie 16 - BREAKPOINT - SOLD

Very cool bit of history, I for one now see and ,understand,and appreciate hobiecats pedigree and rich history. I personally totally missed the first generation, as a teen we lived in the midwest near the Mississippi I owned a sunfish, hated it and quickly moved into powerboat racing (oops), now I'm older and maybe wiser and happen to live right by the ocean in Florida my circumstances have changed.
I don't think many Hobie kayak owners realize it but every mirage kayak Hobie makes is designed from the ground up as a sailing machine optimized around their wonderful mirage drive and sail system. Personally I feel with their development of their Island line of boats they have introduced a whole new class of people and families into the love of sailing and being out on the water (the new Hobie life) who otherwise would have never entered the market. We have a Hobie Tandem Island as our family boat and my children and grand children get to experience and share getting out on the water and appreciate nature at its best at a young age in an eco friendly, affordable way, I have to thank Hobie for that insight. I have no doubt in my mind my grand kids see and realize the joy this life brings to me and the seed is planted for them to enjoy similar things throughout their lives, some will become the next generation of Hobiecat racers. The Hobie life maybe changing but the underlying spirit remains the same.
Thanks Hobie
FE