Race Legal Question:

I attended my first regatta recently with my recently acquired 1995 Hobie Wave Classic. Pre-race was on Friday and I had barely gotten my boat off the trailer when I was beset with some informal protests over my lack of a mast bob. I kept asking for clarification in the rules and was given none, so I took it upon myself to research it and came up with this:

6. Design Features and Changes
Only Waves manufactured by the Hobie Cat Co. are legal for class racing. Nothing may be changed or removed from any Hobie Wave that will in any way alter the structural integrity, design function, or built-in safety features of the boat. Changes that fall under the category of safety and strength shall have prior written approval. Approved changes are as follows: Stronger gudgeons, larger diameter wires , slight shimming of crossbars, and reinforced flanges not affecting water flow. Except as allowed in these rules, any changes or additions that in any way can be construed as speed devices are not class legal.

12. Equipment
12.7 The Masthead Float will not be removed. The float will not be turned around backwards.

To my knowledge, the Hobie Classic did not come standard with this feature (especially in '95) and the masthead shows no signs of one having been removed.

How does this stand?

The float was added and retrofitted to all early boats within the first few months of production, so is considered standard equipment. It is also an important safety feature as the boat is so stable when upside down that it is very hard to right without one.

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