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PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:00 am 
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Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 1:26 pm
Posts: 29
Location: SW Michigan
A little off-topic: this is my favorite sailing video; but if you watch closely, around 1:42, you'll see what appears to be a Bravo being pulled by a yellow C-kite!!

Anyway - for sailing lovers - this is just pure "wind porn". Lots of catamarans/trimarans/windsurfers/kiters - watch it to the very end because you'll laugh!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWINygISxDE


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PostPosted: Wed Nov 17, 2010 6:12 pm 
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Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:21 pm
Posts: 4
Had a few windy days with decent weather this fall to really try out my new Bravo and I'm liking it a lot. I can finally sail without cussing like a sailor. The Bravo is so simple and safe that you can just enjoy sailing with no worries.

The loose footed sail can be released completely at any time--there is no boom that can brace against the mast stays and keep the sail in the wind. You can reef or furl the sail at any time, even with the boat on its side so there are no concerns about which way it's facing when you right it. I capsized and righted several times just to practice and it's a piece of cake. I had to stand on the mast to make it turtle with the Hobie bob and the slightest weight on one side allowed it to float the mast head to the surface again. The boat is not just unsinkable but completely unswampable (there's a big difference once the boat is upright again and you try to sail home!). I weigh about 190 lb and hiking out fully, I could keep the boat level in all but the strongest gusts. I did not have my GPS so I could not measure the speed but it was zipping along at a good clip. I'll try to post some video if I ever figure out how. Hobie's description of the boat is completely accurate and the instructions that come with it are very good.

The only inefficiency I can see is that the rudder yoke drags in the water a bit, maybe just because of my weight and the fact I was sitting towards the stern to keep the bow light to go over the waves. I could not tack very well in light winds as others have mentioned; it just doesn't have the momentum. I think this is also partly because there are no dagger boards and it drifts sideways more than usual; in strong wind the leward hull digs in more. Without the boom to worry about, jibing is always an easy and safe alternative. Not sure about the cupholders--I think your coffee will probably spill! I would prefer something like recessed rings that could be used to tie down a dry bag.

Overall, I give it 5 stars out of 5!

"If it doesn't have a buffet and a casino it aint seaworthy."--John Pinette


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PostPosted: Thu Nov 18, 2010 9:35 am 
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Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:34 am
Posts: 64
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Cupholders are for a Mt. Gay Rum and tonic!!!

On the rudder drag, I had some water in the hull and drained it and it def. sat higher and I am 220lbs. I think water seeped in from sailing with the back in the water all summer and I would guess over 50 hrs worth if not more between "drainings".


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PostPosted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:15 pm 
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Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:21 pm
Posts: 4
Finally got a video clip uploaded at [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGKszp-rN6c[/youtube]


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