safe sailing for beginners

Hi All,

I'm new to sailing and just acquired a Hobie Getaway. What would you guys recommend a safe windspeed for me with zero experience other than watching hours of youtube videos on the topic. The winds have been about 20mph lately around here and I'm a really excited to take her out for the first time, although I think that might be too high of a wind. Thoughts?

Jake

Awesome. Congrats.I am new to sailing myself. Love our getaway. I would say 20 is way to much for staters. I started out in 5,6,7,8 mph winds. I am sure the experienced sailers are laughing at me. It don't take much wind to get this thing going.
Small lake or big waters for you?
Practice capsizing & righting so that's one less thing you need to worry about. Its fun as well & the kids will enjoy if you have any, Hobie recommends as well.
I come from the jetski world & we don't thing twice about taking our standup jetskis out in bad weather on Lake Michigan, 8 10 12 foot waves but honestly I am still a little nervous on a small inland lake with 10 mph winds with the getaway. Theres a lot to learn, I don't want to make the evening news
Steve C.

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the reply! No lakes around here. I live in Honolulu. So only the ocean to play in. Although there are protected bays around. The wind is usually 10-15mph on a normal day.

I have a few questions for you.
Are you sailing alone? Having a second person will help in higher winds, and help right the boat in a capsize.

Are you completely new to sailing? If so, I'd recommend taking a few lessons, or get someone experienced to teach you the basics. (Honolulu? I'm available! Just need to pay my plane fare from Chicago! )

Are you a comfortable swimmer? Whether you are or not, always wear your pfd. Except for...just kidding...ALWAYS wear your pfd.

Do you have emergency equipment? You should have a marine radio (Cobra makes a waterproof, floating handheld) or a cell phone in a waterproof case ON YOUR PFD. You're on the ocean. It's big.
Also, you should have a couple flares and smoke flares in a waterproof bag on the boat.
When I sailed on Lake Michigan, an experienced friend insisted I get a marine radio and flares. Why, I said? My boat is small. Exactly, my friend said, and the lake is big. And the ocean is bigger. You don't want to be capsized with an offshore wind blowing your boat away faster than you can swim, with the tide going out, and no way to summon help.

OK, I know I sound like a downer. But sailing is an absolute blast! Have fun, get wet, dump the boat over, have lazy days, have scary days, but always come back to tell the stories!

_________________
Yet another Bob!
"Firefly" - 2012 Hobie Getaway with wings and spinnaker
"Sparky" - 1978 Sunfish (OK, it's not a Hobie, but it's a fun little craft)
Too many canoes and kayaks

dorienc,

Thanks for the great advice! I"m very comfortable in the water, and yes I do have a PFD. I'll be with the family for the most part. So my wife and 3 kids. I doubt I'll have too many days where I'm alone. I'll be carrying my phone on me at all times. The signal is pretty strong a ways out. I work in a small airplane and get a decent cel service while in the air in between islands. Although, I may look into a marine radio and a PLB. Yes the ocean is huge and very easy to get lost in a small little Hobie if things go wrong.

For now I'll only be sailing in spots where the wind blows to shore. I have a few friends that are going to show me the ropes. I'm itching to get out there!
Thanks for the great advice!

Jake

Excellent! The Getaway is a great family boat. I started out with a Hobie 17, and as the kids grew, it sailed lower and lower in the water, until it was pretty much a submarine.

To address your original question, 10 to 15 miles per hour wind is pretty optimal, especially with 2 people on board. As a new sailor, I'd start at the lower end of that, maybe 5 to 12 (figuring you'll get gusts to 15 or so.) When winds are 15 or more, with gusts into the 20s, it gets pretty exciting fast, sometimes too exciting.

I had reef points put in my sail, and if I'm alone, I reef if the winds are going to go above 15. With 2 or more people, I'll reef if I'm expecting above 20. I don't sail alone if the winds are going above 20. It's just too tiring and nerve racking.

_________________
Yet another Bob!
"Firefly" - 2012 Hobie Getaway with wings and spinnaker
"Sparky" - 1978 Sunfish (OK, it's not a Hobie, but it's a fun little craft)
Too many canoes and kayaks