Damn, it's cold out. I just want to go sailing.

When I left the house today, it was -21.4 degrees, acording to my outdoor digital thermometer. That is the ACTUAL temp, not the 'feels like' or wind chill temp.

I went down to the Detroit Boat Show, where there were TWO Hobie dealers with Sails up! It got me excited for spring to arrive.

It better get here soon, as all this cold is bringing me down!!

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Steve
1979 Hobie 16 "Orange Crusher"
2017 Hobie 16 "Cayman" sails 114795

It was 0F here this morning. This is my forlorn TI anxiously waiting for Spring.

20150221_093402 by dougc405, on Flickr

Tell me about it... We had those couple of warm days and I just couldn't make it happen.. One of them I wasn't sure about going out as I knew the lake would have still had a layer of ice around the edges. I don't think getting off the ice would be that big of a deal, I just wasn't sure about crashing back onto it... If you didn't get enough speed you could have a heck of a time crossing some distance of thin ice.

There have been a couple chances recently, but I have been busy making sure I have plenty of time this summer...




I do like my newly acquired drysuit!

35 degree water!

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www.thehobiewayoflife.com

18 out here this morning. TOO damn cold! Wind went south early this afternoon, and it got up to 55 or so. Had me thinking about the boat, but I gotta wait for the ice on the sound to melt! Thinking 'bout getting a trainload of coal to burn . Global warming, my **s!

ronholm, does your camera have a gps built in? How do you get the speed indicator shown? I want one! Is it a GoPro?

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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

That is a Garmin Virb Elite Camera. and yep... the GPS is built right in! I love it.

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www.thehobiewayoflife.com

I have forgotten how to sail.

Can I have your boat?

Hey, you're like 4 hours from the Gulf. Do you ever go there with your boat? I've thought about driving down from Illinois in the winter (if I can get a visa to cross the Mason-Dixon line) and sailing the 'Bama shore. Is Gulf sailing feasible in the winter?

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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

I know exactly how you feel. Made it out to the Omaha boat show and got to put my hands on the new TI. Mine is still in the dealer's warehouse waiting for spring. Gave me the itch to get out on the water. It was a balmy 1° this morning and they are calling for snow this weekend. [CRYING FACE]

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

Here in Utah we are having a very warm winter. I am no longer a skier so am loving it. Sailing last Saturday and the week before. in the low 60s once in a while. Had one of the best days ever. I sail solo almost exclusively and with the steady winds around 15-18 knots was able to get out on the trapeze and keep it on one hull for about 2 miles at a stretch. Didn't set any speed records as my top was almost 18 knots, but what a perfect day. Had my wetsuit on as the water temp is around 35. Finally coming in, one of my rudder cams locked up and broke when I hit the beach. Replaced already, but the temps are back where they usually are and I wont be out again until late March or April. But what a couple of bonus days. Thank heavens for global warming!

need to post some pictures from long ago about Hobie 16 snow sailing here at lake norman nc 28 degrees and 6 inches of snow and about 10 mph in the wind dept. no ice needed for the beer Great times in a great boat

I took it down 2 summers ago when I got it. Great time. Took it last summer but did not have good access to get it to the water or leave it on shore in front of condos, Could not get an answer on if it was ok. It use to when my parents owned a unit there 10 years ago. But alot has changed. ended up going out on a friends 30'. Sadly, the Hobie just sat on the trailer all week.
But if the weather is good, yes, you could go sailing in Gulf Shores. Just need a wetsuit.

I would not be a pretty sight in a wetsuit. Sort of like the Michelin Man!

It's disappointing that you couldn't get beach access. I once dragged my boat off the trailer down the sand dunes to the Atlantic at Assateague Island, Maryland. I was pretty determined. Then to get it back, I asked some surfers to help me. 6 of us hoisted it on our shoulders, mast still up, and carried it up the sand dunes back to the trailer. I bought the beer that night!

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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

All my sailboats are moving around which is good the bad thing is that they are being moved around the yard behind the Kubota tractor.

I don't know how you guys in North America/Canada do it. Lots of snow, frozen lakes and the cold would drive me crazy. The Winter months here in Brisbane, Australia are our sunniest months but very dry. Maybe my video captured on Sunday can help you all out abit.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNFuvLV ... e=youtu.be

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