Hobie Cat Forums

Am I the only one who's losing my hide to the roto-mold surface of the Bravo or Wave?
I spent a few hours on my new Bravo this week, and my legs are all scarred up. My ankle bones were bleeding.

I'm really disgusted.....

New boats are usually slippery and in the case of non-skid... non-skid'ish!

You can soap off slippery oils and soften the nonskid with some light sanding if you really want to, but you will ultimately appreciate the rougher surface some day when you really need it!

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Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

The Bravo is hardly the first boat I've been on in my 58yrs. I reject the notion that this surface is necessary or desirable-though there probably ARE people out there who like it. The ones who wear Carharts when sailing....

Disgusted...ohhh please get over yourself....never have enough traction IMHO...

I wear a 'long john' wetsuit (sleeveless) + booties for sailing & kayaking. Zero problem with abrasions on the Bravo. It is 3mm and I wear it year-round (water can be chilly here). You can get thinner ones, and you can get 'shorties' as well, but your lower legs would not be protected. I find it comfortable, even on a very hot day -- Mind you, on a hot day I'll jump in the water at the end of the sail...

This really is an unusual observation concerning the Bravo. I sail both the Wave and Bravo extensively... in trunks. I have never had that experience myself. The boats are big sellers at resorts and clubs. I just don't hear this complaint.

As I noted. Easy to customize your experience. Sand down the non-skid to your liking.

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Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

I let our local sailing school use our two Hobie Bravos and the kids mostly just wear swimsuits and PFDs...never a complaint about the surface being rough.

Just a troll...

The first time I took out my bravo, my ankles got a bit of an abrasion burn as well. The wind was light, and I was sitting cross legged in a bit of sand I had tracked in. I've been out twice a week since I got it, and no trouble except for that first day.

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2008 Bravo

I have only had mine for a month now but I have had no no issues with the deck. It is a bit rough but no abrasions so far. I usually take a few seconds to use a sponge to splash the sand off the deck before I sail. My shore is rough and our red Island dirt is very abrasive, not to mention almost impossible to clean if it stains clothing.

Somewhere on these boards I read about someone cutting a blue camping pad to size and laying it down when they go out. I'm guessing that if you buy a wide enough one that it could be cut to have part of it shoved under the foot braces to keep it in place. This could add some inexpensive comfort for you without the work of sanding.

Have a Hobie Day

Out again today and I seem to have exactly the opposite problem...not rough enough. I keep sliding back on the hull and have to be careful not to slide off the stern when a gust of wind hits. Is there something I can do to make the surface less slippery? As suggested, a wet suit would probably do the trick, but it is too hot here for that.
Thanks

Somewhere on these boards I read about someone cutting a blue camping pad to size and laying it down when they go out. I'm guessing that if you buy a wide enough one that it could be cut to have part of it shoved under the foot braces to keep it in place. This could add some inexpensive comfort for you without the work of sanding.[/quote]

I gave this a try and couldn't be happier. Bought the $8 camping mat at Walmart, some rivets and zip tied it in. I also used some silicone glue to keep the front down. It even matches the boat!

Hey Jim,

Did you actually rivet into the boat or did you use grommets in the foam material? The pic indicates you might have used grommets installed in the foam.
Not correcting you, I'm actually curious.

Have a Hobie Day

I don't think that's fair. The original poster found the Bravo to be uncomfortable, Matt Miller responded. The majority of us find the surface of the Bravo to be perfectly acceptable.

I don't like that the original poster said that he was "disgusted", but the flip side is, that I'm not sure that it's fair that we post things like "we can't believe this thread was started"

This should be a place where anyone can ask anything. Tone, and careful use of language is important, but I do believe that anyone should feel free to ask any question.

Let's try to keep this place, a place for everyone.

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