Hi John...

I live in Frederick County, Maryland, and I sail recreationally only. Almost every summer since the 60's my family has rented a cottage for a couple of weeks on Holden Beach at the southern tip of North Carolina, where I sail the Atlantic. This is one of several "sandbar-type" islands in the area, situated about 50-100 feet off the mainland. I think it is 16 miles long and 300- 500 feet wide. We usually meet and sail with any other Hobie 16 owners we find down there each year, along with the occasional Wave or Prindle owner. The wind and surf conditions vary from smooth water and calm breezes to 6-8 foot waves and gusty winds up to 30 knots. It is usually 3-4 foot waves and a steady on-shore breeze of 10-15 knots. But there have been many times that my cat has been picked up by rogue waves and tossed up on the beach like a toy. Once, while we adults were standing in the surf positioning the cat for a launch, it was picked up by a quick series of waves, ending up with it's bows almost vertical before it was slammed down on the shore on its rear end, tearing off portions of both hull decks aft of where the rudder pins (used to) go through, and bending or snapping the upper gudgeons. Needless-to-say, my daughter and her cousin (both 6 years old at the time), who had been clinging to the center tramp line during all this, both decided that they didn't want to go sailing that day after all.

In the Fall, my In-Laws (better known as "the Out-Laws") rent a cottage for 3-4 weeks on Deep Creek lake in the panhandle of Maryland. The lake was man-made for a hydro-electric plant in the 1920's. It is 13 miles long at its widest point, with about 3900 acres of surface area (when full). I like sailing there on windy days as you can really pick up some speed without waves to worry about. The only drawbacks are erratic wind conditions, a mostly stone/rock shoreline, and numerous motorboats. But at least any course will eventually land you on shore!

Mark Owens
1976 H16 sail #19857