Commentary from one of our catamaran aficionados, Randy Eakin.
Just a reminder that to date we've not found anyone inside or outside the club who has successfully righted a Hobie 21 from a turtle; i.e., completely upside down. Though those outside the club claim it can be done, no one inside the club has been able to right the Supercat from a turtle.
There's talk of putting a Hobie Bob (a mast float) on top of each to preclude turtling entirely. Should this come to pass it would likely solve the problem.
For these reasons, if you go out in upper intermediate or skipper winds we recommend that you sail conservatively and dress to be in the water for hours (failures happen). If not, then we recommend you either bring taxi fare sufficient from Juanita Bay or a thank-you card for the Harbor Patrol when they come pick you up.
J. Randy Eakin
Editor's Note:
Why sail a cat?
1. These babies can plain! And they go fast! A typical sailboat is limited to
a finite hull speed. A planing hull can exceed hull speed and a two-hulled vessel
can do this with a high degree of stability.
2. They have an extremely shallow draft. Sail them in shallow water; beach them
for a picnic.
3. Hang on the trapeze. It's a gas.
4. Pass all the dinghies and most of the keelboats.
5. Cause Randy will teach you how.
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