running in light winds

Curious about the performance of this thing - I have sailed a sunfish and with the wind directly behind ya it GOES.

Seems to not like to sail with wind behind ya. I noticed this the time I rented one in Belize too.

I set up a traveler I plan to utilize as I read it helps. I read it was designed to spill wind easier etc. so I assume it was designed this way for safety.

Thoughts/advice?

Cats do not sail nicely dead downwind like monohulls.
Experiment with 'tacking' downwind, going at ~45 degrees to the wind,broad reaching.
If you know what VMG is, broad reaching is faster than dead downwind.

Read up some on the subject, try Higher Performance Sailing II by Dr Frank Bethwaite, and learn about apparent wind.

and be safe......

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2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

I have a sunfish and a Hobie Getaway. I think it's mostly perceived differences. A cat goes fast downwind, but there's no sensation of speed because it's stable, the air seems still, and it's so much slower than when on a reach. The Sunfish is getting pushed pretty hard, so it seems like it's going faster.
At least, that's my thought on it.

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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

The Wave goes best straight downwind. When the boats are raced everybody goes straight downwind with the bridle telltales pointed forward. You can reach a bit, but if you’re going downwind your VMG is lower.

If it’s blowing and there’s some waves you can lunge forward, sheet in, and reach up a bit and surf down the wave.

Damn! I do love the boat.

Stay healthy, Stay distant

As someone mentioned in high wind you can actually surf the wave.

I been out in good wind about 6 foot waves on a lake with 1 to 2 second between waves. and the waves are actually coming on the tramp

so much fun

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