Advice !!

Thanks for the re-assuring. Yeah, it has been quite a bit of work. My boat was already heavy (83' model) so I guess that's not a such a big deal. I don't think she'll ever be a champ, especially if I'm on the tiller. Maybe it'll come in handy on those really windy days?
James

Say James,

I'm a newby too. Don't be so hard on yourself. You have no idea how many obstacles I had while working on my boat; how discouraged I was when something didn't turn out like I expected it to; how lost I felt the day I capsized my boat three times in one afternoon. I was so frustrated that I was ready to sell my boat. But afterwards when I would stand back and look at it and try to figure out what happened, this desire would muster up inside me that made me remember how much fun I was having before I capsized. It's not about the work . . . it's about the fun. It use to take me twenty minutes to tack my boat and then it would only tack accidentally (if I didn't cap it first ). Now I tack without issue from any point of sail. You can't imagine how that makes me feel. . . . and that doesn't mean that I wont ever cap going through a tack again (some will tell you that the H16 is not the easiest boat to tack). Pushing your skills means getting wet. When you're out there sailing in a way you've never sailed before, it makes the work all worth while. You're my hero for all the work you're putting in on your hulls.

Happy Sailing,

David

David,
Thanks alot for the encouragement. I tell ya, if there's one thing I've already found out that I love about Hobie sailors, its how encouraging all of you are. I've had my share of first time frustrations. The first time I ever started flying a hull consequently led to a few capsizes. I almost ran out of energy when I had to right the boat about three times for the same capsize on one gusty day. I'd get her over and she'd just keep on going. I had a few boats come over for assistance but I was bound and determined to get her up again myself, which eventually I did. When I found out what soft hulls were, and then found out that I had one, I will admit that was kind of a bummer. But it led me to this forum, and the expoxy repair method, and I have learned so much more from the advice given here. I wouldn't trade any of it for anything. I've had several "hobbies" over the years but Hobie sailing is much deaper than that. It's really become a passion of mine more than anything. And your right, it's not about the work, it's about the fun. And man is it fun. Now I just can't wait for warmer weather .

So thank you David for your advise and encouragement, and that goes to everyone else on this forum. It just keeps becoming more apparant to me that Hobie sailing truely is a way of life.

Open seas and stiff breazes to you all,
James