Going Ball-less

I took mine off this week. The mast is easier to raise without it and I swear the boat feels better. Looks nice too. I figure that with people righting hobie cats for around 40 years without training wheels I could give it a try. I always get on the hull and start pulling on the righting system within about 12 seconds of hitting the water and I think this will be the key to sucess without the ball. I suspect that this boat only has one because the design is so common in rental fleets. Of course if I go out in the ocean I will put it back on because then I will take all the help I can get. I will post as soon as I have field research regarding this topic, and with our recent good weather it may not be long before I test my theory. Wish me luck.

the problem is if the boat goes turtle you will not be able to flip it back up w/o a power boat. The hulls have so much flotation the float upside down as good as right side up.

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Brad Stephens
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I have read that hobie 16's can be brought back from a turtle by sitting on the rear corner, but you are saying that the getaway has more flotation so this won't work? makes sense now that I think about it that way. Was that the reason for the ball, and not my theory about rental and beginner use?

your right, when the boat is upside down you can sit on any corner for as long as you want. The bob was designed because of this problem, the wave has the same problem too.

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Brad Stephens
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(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
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www.facebook.com/sunjammers

Thanks. Before your input I could not figure out what design change would require a ball. I may put mine back on soon. It would kill my pride to ask a power boat for anything

I can tell you first hand the getaway is a problem to right without the float.I sail my boat without the wings and float to get better performance when racing.When i capsized it took a choppy sea and four people on the stern of one hull to get upright again, and we only just got it upright and i mean just!Have you considered a wave float for a getaway without wings,i think it might be a good move.
From Tasmania's only Getaway sailor!