Hobie Cat Forums

Hi Guys,

i just recently bought my first hobie cat (15 Club) and although i can't wait to take it out, i'm a little worried about what happens if i fall off without the boat capsizing (e.g. hit a rogue wave or trapeze wire snaps).
I have a water proof VHF just in case and fortunately will be launching from a life boat station ramp, so there will always be help, but i'd rather take some precautions or advice to prevent this being an issue.

I've read different suggestions on safety. The consensus seems to be never tether yourself to a cat, but to try and hold on to the main sheet and pull yourself in.

Do these boats usually fall over when unmanned or is there a real risk of being left stranded? Even if they do eventually go down, is there any chance of being able to swin up to it with the boat drifting?

My past experience of sailing is all in cruising mono hulls, so i've never really had to worry about falling off (i always tied my self on to a jackstay when solo).

Any help or suggestions would be really appreciated for this newbie to the cat world
Thanks

Graham

I can't speak for everyone, but generally speaking, if you're out sailing in regular conditions, you're not going to lose the boat. Someone once told me, no matter WHAT happens, ALWAYS hold on to the boat. They referred to that as the first rule of sailing. I'm not sure that it's everyone's first rule, but it's a great rule. If you convince yourself that in any situation where things go crazy, your first reaction has to be to hang on to the boat, you'll be fine.

I'm sure there are times where you could lose the boat, but I don't think most people worry about that. I know I've read stories on here of people who got themselves into trouble, but if you're aware of your surroundings, you should be fine, and you shouldn't have to worry about losing your boat.

Here's a video where I was hot dogging it, and screwed up. The FIRST thing that entered my mind was to HANG ON!! My hand gripped the tiller as tightly as it could, and what could have been bad, turned into something quite fun. Like I said, if you remember the rule to ALWAYS hang on to the boat, you're unlikely to have any problems (even if you do hot dog it)

In the video, you'll notice that I didn't let go of my mainsheet, until I was SURE that I had my tiller firmly in hand. Even though I was losing the boat, I had both hands on it. It's just a reaction that you pick up, if you make it your first rule.

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A boat with properly adjusted rudders should have some weather helm, meaning that the boat will have a tendency to turn into the wind. When you take your boat out, release the rudder while sailing to ensure that it turns into the wind. If it has lee helm, or downwind turning tendency, you have a real problem. Your boat will turn downwind and sail away without you. If you need to increase weather helm, rake your rudders up. Unless your boat has a newer adjustable casting, you will need to drill new holes for the upper castings. You want enough weather helm that the boat will quickly turn into the wind and stop if you go overboard. This way, if your a decent swimmer, you should have no trouble catching up to the boat. But you do not want so much weather helm that the tiller is tiresome to hold. If you are in conditions where you are particularly concerned with falling overboard, you can drag a long knotted rope behind your boat. Just make sure that an oblivious power boater doesn't pass over it. Also, if you fall overboard, and miss the end of the rope, it will be the "bitter end"!

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'73 Hobie 16
1970's styrofoam snark

falling off a hobie is pretty hard to do I don't ever remember just falling off I did have a kid or two fall off though when they were really small I have seen a crew fall off when something happened out on the wire
As the captain you usually have a good grip on the main sheet and the tiller which makes falling off unlikley
My opinion this should not be of great concern
Always wear a life jacket just in case Cold water could be another worry

If you fall overboard there are a number of conditions that may cause it to sail away on its own before either heading up or capsizing, but if this happens you may have a bigger problem - the boat can drift pushed by the wind faster than you can swim.

The advice to hold onto the boat and never let go is part of the lecture I give my crew when the wind is up.

Thanks to all your responses. They have been very helpful in both alleviating my worries an confirming my suspicions that you have to hold on the something at all times.

That video Augaug is brilliant, not only funny but a great learning point so thanks.

Thats a great point about the rudder rake pyroboy, i'll be sure to test this out on my first trip as well as practice righting the boat so that i know i can handle the worst case scenario.

Thank again

Graham

Hobie made a 15?

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Steve
1979 Hobie 16 "Orange Crusher"

Yeah apparently so. They are normally the models use by resorts and hotels because they have more buoyancy than the 16s. Still have twin trapeze wires though.