Hi,

my name is Max
i am a windsurfer
used to sail Laser, 420, 470 when I was young
But that was over 10 years ago

family is growing so I thought it's a good idea get back into sailing a boat
just bought a 2nd hand Hobie cat and needed some
advise

have no experience on sailing a hobie cat
it's on a trailer
should I rig it on trailer and launch from boat ramp?
or should I lift it out, rig it and lift it to water?

Trying to learn from YouTube how to rig it
looking to first sailing this weekend in Perth maybe point Walter

Thanks

Hi Max
I guess you will be sailing on the swan to start.
I used to have a 14 foot windrush on a roof rack.

You can launch off a sandy beach. You don't need a ramp.
Drag the boat over a lawn and onto the sand near the beach. Or off the trailer an on to the sand.
Mount the mast. Lay the boat over on its side and pull the sail up the mast. Rig the boom and main sheet etc.
Stand her up and mount your small esky with water, fruit an sangars
Drag the bow into the water and fit the rudders.
Swivel her around and pull into the water backwards.
Point her just off the wind, jump on and Sayonara for the day.

Point Walter was the perfect place 40 years ago, but I may have changed a tad.

P.S How big is your Hobbie?

gary

Hi Max. Pretty much what Gary said. Point walter boat ramp is probably a good spot to launch, but rig it on the beach, not the trailer.


If you've sailed 420s/470s then the main difference you'll find is that catamarans don't tack half as well as monohulls. Once you've got the technique its not too bad though.


I live up the rd from point walter. I maybe able to come down and give you a hand (depending on when youre thinking of going) if you like? I'll PM you my number if you're keen.

Max, rig it on the beach/lawn. Not on the trailer, it's to hard.
Did it come with a set of beach wheels.
Nedlands has a strong fleet.
You tube is your friend.
Can you rig it on your front lawn to familiarise yourself with the process before putting on a public performance?
Pick a light wind day and make sure your crew is heavy enough to assist with righting after a capsizes.
I raced 16s for years with my wife.
Still have a soft spot for them.
Enjoy.

Thanks for the friendly reply everyone
And much appreciated your offer subsonic
that would be awesome if you don't mind to show me how to rig it, please pm

I got a mate with similar sailing backgrounds but we never sail together!
we did tried to rig it on the trailer but found it too hard to right the mast
It doesn't come with a beach wheel unfortunately
rigging on front lawn is great idea I will give it a go
It's a 16 I think, so looking forward to sail it
I am the heavy one 90kg and

will definitely need to practice on recovering capsize , even thinking put a small floaty on top of the mast? i heard it's really difficult if it's turtle?

Place the hulls on the beach or lawn down hill. Attach the the shrouds and mast to the base and walk the mast up. Having the boat pointing down hill will mean the mast will stay up by itself while you attach the fore stay. It's helpful to make up a mast prop for this operation to take the weight initially.
Best idea is to visit a catamaran sailing club on race day and watch how the others do it.

Hi Max

Re:
It's a 16 I think, so looking forward to sail it

16 footers are a handful to sail (fast!)
I would recommend going out with your mate a few times until you at least have "righting" under your belt.

gary

Placing the hull on bait down hill seem a good way to try

thanks for the advise

and yes I will definitely play safe with friends

cheers