wings

Has anyone sailed their 17 without using the wings? Any comments?
Also, how much power will I lose with my crew on a 17 sport? Our weight is combined 250lbs.

I can't imagine not using the wings. They are so comfortable, but the original concept was to have the wings as options. It should fly a hull easier without!

250 Lbs combined?

Standard weight for racing the 17 is 185-200, so 250 is not that much more. I think you will notice little difference.

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

With only a short time to kill left in my day, I wanted to hit the water immediately so I sailed for an hour or so without wings in about 10 to 15 wind. It was a riot. As Matt said, it was no problem getting a hull up at all. I am sure others have done it, and it doesn't hurt a thing to try it out.

Another cool wing option is to put the wings in the towing position and stretch a tarp across them for a great and comfortable tent on the beach. There is plenty of room for two

Try it all! Think for yourself, Question authority...

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The fact that this windy world is largely covered in water obviously means that man was meant to sail.

I just started sailing mine with wings. They make a difference a lot of ways, like if you're going straight across the wind even the slightest wave coming at you will make the upwind hull kinda sink down low and sorta slow down the boat, or at least that's what it seems. It's also a pain if you have to walk your boat in an out if you go out with the sail up, and drop the rudders and get ready to go jumping on with the seats needs to be done quickly, or the boat will be gone and you will be watching it.