What a fantastic story. It speaks volumes as to why Cat sailing has lost its appeal. Hobie was not a product, it was a mans vision.

The creativity and excitement that Hobie Alter made into a house hold name has been lost under the self imposed "rules" by a rigid mindset that pervades the catamaran community. Had Hobie (the person) not had the creative vision to work "out side the box" catamaran sailing would never have experienced it’s “hay day” and would not have exceeded the blip on the radar status it experiences today.

Today’s catamaran environment with limitations on length, beam, constructions materials, mast height, sail area Etc...Etc...would be totally ignored by a “modern day Hobie Alter” attempting to regenerate the intense interest of the original...It is obvious that he set his own “bar” and did not limit himself or his ideas to any established “rules”. As said by the Author of life… “A man without vision is dead” There is a company that owns the rights to his name…but it appears that it has taken a position of “survival” thru mediocrity, instead of it’s name sakes position of thriving thru innovation, creativity and…. lets not forget…FUN!

In any event, catamaran sailing owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to Hobie Alter Sr.


Regards,
Bob