Has anyone ever marked the bows...

...to get a better idea where the limit is to help prevent pitchpoles? If so, where did you mark it? I'm thinking somewhere around where the water line is on the picture below. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable taking it up much higher unless it was there was no chop at all.

Not thinking that'd work so well! There are too many variables going as to when that lee bow buries enough to pitch pole- boat load , swell height and period, crew position, even point of sail relative to wind. You'd have funny looking lines all over your boat! Best just to sail her hard and get a sense for it , IMO.

Dave

Dave is spot on! Just get out there and fly your hulls as often as you can without over thinking the process - just enjoy it! The variables are endless!!!
And worst case you capsize, right your cat, and get back out there on trap to do it all over again!

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

The hull lip is the "mark" but likely it is the speed of the hull going down towards that point that is the best indicator.

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

I'd add that the boat in your picture is balanced aft. You can see that the back of the leeward hull is pushed deep and the tip of the bow is riding proud of the water. They are in no danger of a pitchpole. They could get knocked down by a puff, but a pitchpole generally happens when you are running downwind and really bury the leeward bow. Of course with large chop you can catch a tip at any angle. I'd second the motion to just hit the water and explore the boundaries of you and the boat. A few times in the water will greatly increase your comfort with the boat. Just bring someone who is not afraid to swim

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Todd
Hobie 21SE
Bellingham, WA