store bravo with mast and sail on?

Hi all,

I am thinking of getting a used hobie bravo. One of the reasons to do this would be for dead simple launching. I would leave the boat on "the beach" at my local marina. Ideally I would leave it with the mast up and sail already on and furled.

Is this a good idea? Can the sail handle the extended sun exposure? Other suggestions if the goal is to be able to push off in under 60 seconds?

Cheers,

Bad idea as like any sail they will wear badly from sitting out in the weather all day, every day.

I think you have missed the #1 concept of the Bravo in that it is sooooooo easy to rig. I can rig my Bravo in under 60 seconds - mast on, screw in mast holder, clip on rudder and attach sheet to sail..... easy!

_________________
2007 Hobie 16 - 'Slingshot'
1996 Hobie 18 - 'Onrails'
Hobie Bravo - 'Hobie Bites'

Thanks Matt,

So for a beach stored bravo, would your suggestion be to store the mast AND sail elsewhere and simply attach them at the time of sail, or to leave the mast on the boat, and just bring the sail?

thanks

I leave mine up all year (including the winter, until the lake freezes). You get a bit of fading on the exposed outer panel, but that is about it. I did buy a new sail last year and made the outer panel grey, which does a good job at hiding the fading.

Mast and sail fit in a nice bag. Store the bagged sail somewhere and bring with you when you want to sail.

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

Absolutely!
I have the Hobie dolly for my Bravo too so I would never leave it anywhere but stored at home and the dolly makes light work of moving it around.
But if you have limitations take the extra effort to store the mast/sail at home and throw a tarp/cover over the Bravo.
Infact the mast is so light I could carry both the mast/sail and rudder/blocks at the same time for only the one trip.

There's nothing worse than weather worn/faded sails.

_________________
2007 Hobie 16 - 'Slingshot'
1996 Hobie 18 - 'Onrails'
Hobie Bravo - 'Hobie Bites'