Hobie Cat Forums

It must be a technique thing because I'm able to lift my Bravo out of the water up onto a dock 2 and a half feet from the water. I'm fit, but I'm certainly not using all of my strength. Not even close. I agree with Madwand, it's not that difficult as shown in the video.

My AI was a pain to man handle until I figured out a few techniques. Roadrunner has some great tips on things like this.

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The video is a Trailex which is much lower than Madwand's. Launching is much easier than loading. I only lift about 6" to load mine and it's no problem. Two feet would significantly increase my effort.

AI is 115 lb vs 189 lb TI. Bravo is 195 lb, Augaug is a macho man. !

Proof will be in the pudding. Let us know how it works out for you.

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It's a good Life, Let's sail!

iHop

Dune TI - 6/4/2011
Camas, WA

You are only talking about lifting the BOW two or three feet out of the water to place it on the cradle. You are not pressing the entire boat over your head. This is not rocket surgery. The Hobie Bravo weighs 195 lbs, same as a TI. I was able to easily pick it's bow up by the front handles and lift it to my chest. I am 46 years old with arthritis in my lower back. Unless you are in a wheelchair, I don't understand why you think it can't be lifted twice as high as in the video. The pudding tastes fine to me.

Thanks Madwand! This gives me a great contest idea for our next club sail!

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"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."
- Ayn Rand

I'm 66 but in reasonably good shape. A lot may depend on the slope of your ramp. As I said, mine is easy to lift 6". Maybe next itme out I'll leave the trailer a bit further up the ramp and see how it goes. It may turn out easier than I think. I usually pull it onto the trailer by the front handle, the steeper angle may mean I'd need to push from behind instead to avoid too much pressure on the hull.

I'm sailing a Bravo at North Lake Tahoe with my grandson tomorrow. Really looking forward to it. Also going to parasail, kayak, paddle board and jet ski if there's time. I call it the "iHop-Pentathalon".

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It's a good Life, Let's sail!

iHop

Dune TI - 6/4/2011
Camas, WA

I have a hobie cat from the 70s, any ideas on a trailer that will fit?

Thanks for all the info re:. I'll be back soon and see if I got any more help.