scottkiesling wrote:
Just had to post one of the best times of my life on my little Hobie 14. I was traveling on business last week, and wanted to take the boat with me for some sailing action after working all day in the field. I put in at 8th st in Jacksonville Beach, up by the pier. I checked into the hotel afew blocks up and got the boat rigged around 5:30. The wind was out of the SW about 10 knots. The swell was 2 to 3 ft on the faces. Everything came together- tide, offshore wind and little peelers with tubes. It was- catch a comber, drop in, head up into a beam reach and scream down the line. Wave after wave after wave after wave until 9:00. I would pull out of the wave by jibeing the main, and snapping the jib around. I would head off to get speed and pull straight up into the set coming in. Timing it at times to pull off a " Life magazine - The Cat that Flies " off the lip. I am 45 yrs old and wiegh 200 lbs. I love to surf and sail< but this had to be the best session in my pursuit waterman excellence. I down scaled ( Hobie 18, Prindle 19 ) to my little Hobie, so I can sail single handed and if I get in trouble - right it fast. I only sail in the ocean. I have been sailing her for two yrs. Gone are the two man crews, 45 min rigging with two guys, etc. Happy to keep it simple, sweet, and safe! Stoked- scott kiesling
Yup its truly a great boat when it all comes together. But I now have an Adventure Island as well, 12 min to being in the water. Not as fast, but a lot of fun anyway.