Hobie Sailboats: Starting Line Sailing (SLS)

I’m pleased to announce that I’ve partnered with the new builder and distributor of Hobie Sailboats: Starting Line Sailing (SLS).

https://hobiesailboats.com

https://hobiesailboats.com/dealers

The SLS team is working at full speed to get production of boats, parts, and accessories back up and running and out to dealers globally, including operations in Europe. I’ll be serving as an advisor to them on various aspects of Hobie’s products and operations.

Moving forward, SLS will be answering all questions on these Sailing forums via their account: hobie_sls. All posts from that account will come from SLS’s team of sailors and be vetted by me to ensure the best information is being provided to the community.

We look forward to our continued interaction with the Hobie sailing community!

A quick note on Starting Line Sailing:
Starting Line Sailing owns a portfolio of companies manufacturing, distributing and retailing sailboats, parts, apparel, and accessories to support the small boat sailing community. Our team is composed of passionate sailors, experienced leaders, and owners who are focused on growing sailing by keeping it accessible and fun!

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

Wow, so you pulled a Tom Brady (sort of)!

Welcome back! Your expertise was going to be missed. Best of luck guiding SLS to mutual success.

Is the sail loft going to re-open or is the plan to source from other sailmakers?

BobC

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Bob Curry
Master Unirig Sailor

Hi Bob,

Thanks for asking! Longer term we're working hard to move the production over to our factories - but for the first year we'll be getting our sails from an established sailmaker.

- Starting Line Sailing

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The Team at Starting Line Sailing
Hobie Sailboats | Zim | Dwyer | West Coast Sailing

TY for the update.

We are hopeful that many of the supply chain issues will be resolved soon, so we can have a useful discussion about a new set of H16 sails.

We can talk about the merits of Hot Tamale or Seabreeze, or any new colours.

Happy Holidays to all

_________________
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.'

Matt
Welcome back, but please give us a little context to this. Are you making the boats in the US? Do you have the production tooling or are you starting from scratch? What happened to the company that owned everything before? Does the dealer network remain?

The dealer network remains, World Wide. SLS is the parent company of ZIM Sailing, West Coast Sailing and Dwyer Spar. SLS will be the new builder with the Hobie Sailing expertise of West Coast Sailing staff providing Hobie Sailing support and P&A guidance as SLS. The tooling was acquired from Hobie in Oceanside and France and is currently being moved to SLS facilities. Hobie (based in Oceanside, CA) will concentrate on Kayak production and Sales as SLS handles the Hobie Catamaran business.

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

Thanks for the update. Wishing SLS the greatest success in keeping the Hobie sailing line up and running!

Thank you for the update, from a Hobie fan. It's really appreciated, and encouraging that a specialized, competitive sailing company is picking the business of production up.

Curious, though it doesn't really matter, but are you at liberty to say where production will be moved to? Could be quite the opportunity to further modernize molding/manufacturing methods and improve the line.

Here's To hoping for a new era. Best Of luck!

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ChuckC
H21SE- 408

I just came across this post. Question: Is the Hobie Tandem Island considered a sailboat and moving to SLS, or is it a kayak and remaining with Hobie?

I'm not sure about the Tandem Island, but I'm not seeing any mention that it was moved to SLS. Looking at the website for Zim Sailing, the distribution division for SLS, I do not see the Tandem Island listed.

Jim Clark-Dawe

Islands are Kayaks. Still sold by Hobie in Oceanside.

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