HCANA 2023 and Beyond!
The success of Hobiecat company and the Hobie class association comes from the people. The popularity of the boats comes partially from a great design, but equally from a culture that developed around the Hobie Way of Life. There were/ are other boats that are faster or easier or have otherwise better traits. However, nobody has been as successful in creating and maintaining the culture of sailing, playing and family building that the Hobie class association and membership have. As a member of the Hobie Class, you are part of an international network of sailors, teachers, developers, racers, builders, cruisers and friends that enjoy sailing and the opportunities that that creates.
There has been a perception that strict one design racing is the only thing that the class is good for. Racing comes from people having fun and pushing it... The majority of multihull sailors are recreational sailors that sail beachcats for speed and ease of use. Beachcats are stable, and can be launched and retrieved from shoreline at lakes or beaches around the world. This is ideal for family campouts and fleet fun. The racers come from such groups! The kids playing, or competitive friends learn coordination, tactics, boat maintenance and team work.
On the west coast, we've lost a lot of our access. Many events are marketed as races, but can serve as access that some may not otherwise get to have. RVers, tent campers etc come out and are hosted at local parks or local yacht clubs. We're looking into varied levels of tickets and memberships to accommodate the more recreational sailor. The class can help facilitate clinics, and in many cases, A-Fleet racers are happy to chat with new sailors about safe boat handling as well as methods to go faster. It's nice to win a race... but it's boring if there's no challenge!
Join the class and reach out to your local fleet and division. If they aren't doing anything, poke Jason! At Murrays, we're in a unique position to talk to people all over the country. There are more people in your neighborhood than you think! For some sailors... it's about the solitude, and that's great! Sailing can be quite and help you meditate and self reflect. Other times, it's great to meet new people and have support for pushing the boat. If you're one of those people that doesn't replace rigging until a cable breaks... even more so!
Join up, engage, tell the class what it can do for you! If you sail a NACRA, Prindle or other cat with a dead class... reach out to your local Hobie fleet! Handicap racing can be harder to run an event... but shoreside shenanigans don't have to discriminate!