Hobie Cat Forums

The late great Mark Donahue wrote this book about him and Roger Penske using the racing rules to their "Unfair Advantage".

My brother Jim just moved closer so that we can have more long winded remembrance conversations. The subject of racing Hobie's came up and he had a Matt story.

They were racing 17's at some lake in the midwest in the late 80's or early 90's. Matt got the the lake on Friday and sailed around to get the lay of the water.

On Saturday the races started. Jim started noticing that there were lots of weeds in the lake and when he hit them he would have to stop and clear the rudders.

Matt noted this on Friday and backed way off on the rudder adjustment screws so that the blades popped up easier. Jim could not get back to the beach between races to readjust them and got beat badly.

It is the total of the little things that really count in racing.

I wouldn't call that "unfair"... more of a skill and experience advantage.

_________________
Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

It had to have been in the early '90s, since I didn't have a 17 until 1991.

I don't remember it at all.

I never mess with the rudder kick up adjustment. Not saying it didn't happen, but I'm more likely to just avoid those areas with a lot of weeds than fool around with the kick-up tension.

"Unfair Advantage" is the title of Mr. Donahue's self written book. I consider it a compliment to Matt as being mentioned in the same sentence as Mark Donahue and Roger Penske.

The years sure do change memories.

Matt actually PLANTED said weeds, hense the unfair advantage.