Hobie Cat Forums

water ski behind a hobie?

I'm a water ski nut. I've done it behind just about every boat you can think of... thats every thing from a sculling shell( way before the myth busters did it) to a 60' sport fisher. Hell even a ATV

so has anyone ever tried it?

One of the Hobie sailors at my local sailing club said he did it with a 16 many years ago and suggested I try it when I bought my Tiger. I haven't had the opportunity yet but I would like to try sometime.

I have. It gives you massive weather helm!

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I wish winter was not so long in Sask. Canada. It's hard to sail on ice! 1984 16' hobie cat Sail# 84848

The attached YouTube video shows someone waterskiing behind a Hobie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTEXsZO-PVI

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Tim
82' H16
Sail # 88863
Panama City Beach, FL

One of Hobie's old advertising videos showed water skiing behind an 18 and went on to show them using one of the dagger boards as a ski. It is the same video that showed the 18 airborne about 3' off a wave. I don't know if it is still available but it is worth seeing.

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Howard

The video with the 18 footage is called Sharing the Wind and it is still listed in both Hobie's and Murray's catalogs. The second part is called A Moment's Glory which documents the first Hobie 16 world championships. The movies are a bit antiquated by today's standards but still have some great footage and are fun to watch every now and then.

sm

I have tried the dagger board thing and it was very hard. A surfboard, however, pulls great behind the H18. Also tried to pull a tube several times, too much drag.

so the next question is, who wants to pull me and who wants to video it?

You also need to try it behind a snowmobile.

I bought a water ski at a yard sale for 10$ just to try with my Hobie 18. It is the single ski type where one foot is in front of the other.

I am waiting for a windy day to try it, also I need to make sure my GF sailing skills are decent enough so that she wont dump the boat.

Where are you located yellowboat? Maybe you could skipper instead?
Im in Americans Finest City HAHA San Diego.

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ALLEY CAT 1984 RED LINE HOBIE 18 MAGNUM
Sail # 10505 or 277

I don't think you will be able to get up on a single. the speed needed to do so is about the top end for a hobie.


I'm in the sacramento area.

Oh well

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ALLEY CAT 1984 RED LINE HOBIE 18 MAGNUM
Sail # 10505 or 277

If you go off the side while the boat is running and let yourself back with the towrope you might do it, sort of like barefoot skiers stat. Wings would really help with this! No way you will get enough pull to get up on a slalom ski!

I tried it many years ago on my H16. We could not do it from a standing start as it caused the boat to weathervane up into the wind. From a running start I nearly pulled the skier's arms out of his shoulders. We finally had a little success with him climbing off the windward rail at speed, getting his balance and paying out the tow line. It was nearly impossible to control the tow line while sailing solo. But eventually the drag pulled the boat from a beam reach up into the wind. Could not control it with the rudders as they started cavitating.

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Chris
'88 H18SE Arís

I have a longboard and have wanted to tow it behind the H16 for the daughter, but for the life of me I cant figure out how to tie it off. There is nothing to tie to on the front of the board. I guess she'll just have to hang on to the line.

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'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic