Hobie Cat 18 User Manual page 5

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This nautical invitation to follow in our footsteps, echoes Hobie Fleet 23's invitation to come learn
from us and enjoy with us the sailing life which we have found so rich in challenges, pleasure,
camaraderie, fun, and rewards.
Hobie sailing is a great sport on many levels: the satisfaction in developing new skills, the thrill of the
sail, the camaraderie of other sailors, the winning of your first race, the social contacts both on the
beach and at parties, .... the wind, the water, the speed, the physical activity - what a great sport!
We, the members of Hobie Fleet 23, hope that you will find catamaran sailing as exciting and
rewarding as we do. Hobie University is our attempt to get you off to a good start, to build confidence
through knowledge, to introduce you to many of the area's top sailors and to try to insure that your
sailing experiences are positive and pleasurable.
This book is the product of the knowledge and efforts of many Hobie sailors and racers. It typifies one
of the greatest things about Hobiedom, and that is the enthusiasm and willingness of top Hobie sailors
to pass on their knowledge and experiences to new sailors. Unlike many other competitive sports that I
have been involved in, Hobie sailors and racers are typically willing to share the knowledge that took
them years of sailing to gain and help you to quickly become a better, more competitive sailor.
So.... absorb what these top sailors have so freely given, but let me give you a few words to help you
apply their knowledge and experience. What works for one sailor or in one situation, may not work for
all sailors or in all situations. Whether listening to sailors on the beach, one of our instructors or when
reading one of the many fine books on cat sailing; consider the experience and background of the
source when applying these lessons. For example, advice from coastal sailors who are use to steady
breezes and lumpy water, may not work well inland with our light and shifty winds and flat water.
Also, remember that even the top sailors don't agree on everything.
I guess the best advice is to try everything, especially if it seems to make sense. If it works for you,
use it. If it doesn't seem to work, don't forget it, tuck it away and try it again after your skill and
experience has grown.
Good Luck and Great Sailing
Bob Mimlitch Jr.
Hobie University Publications Coordinator
SueM@koyote.com
www.mimlitch.com
Hobie University, NAHCA
Jimmy Buffett - from the Barometer Soup album.
Page
iv
- Jimmy Buffett
30 Mar 02