I just found an interesting story about Hobie Alter, that I had never seen.

Here are two links; one for each part of the story.

http://www.acmanet.org/cm/historical/documents/Alter_Hobie%20Part%201.pdf
Part One
http://tinyurl.com/2tcyvb

http://www.acmanet.org/cm/historical/documents/Alter_Hobie%20Part%202.pdf
Part Two
http://tinyurl.com/2lsyfj

GARY

Thank you for sharing those. I had sailed with Wayne Shafer, for years, and heard much of it but was delighted to read from Hobie's lips.

Dan

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

Certainly a great amount of gratitude is owed Hobie for starting this company.

To the contrary of "Seeker"'s opinion...

The current ownership at the helm of Hobie Cat has been VERY involved in "innovation, creativity and…. lets not forget…FUN!"

Anyone who has been watching this company grow, by leaps and bounds, over the last 15+ years would understand that. We have taken a company, on the decline, back to the top once again. This, with innovative, creative and fun products such as the Hobie TriFoiler, Hobie Wave, Getaway, Bravo and incredibly innovative and "FUN" Hobie Mirage kayaks. Our newer products also have a wider sales appeal. This is very important for the future of the company and certainly not "a position of survival".

Meanwhile the "current ownership" of the French facility and Hobie Cat name have continued to excel in the performance catamaran world as well.

This continued success of the Hobie Cat brand is quite evident to most anyone that is "on the outside" of
"Today’s catamaran environment"... which, but the way, seems to be a limiting factor for success today.

We at Hobie Cat are focused on the future. Meanwhile... we will continue to "innovate" and "create" "fun" for tomorrows catamaran environment.

http://research.investopedia.com/news/PrimeZone/97620107285.aspx

When can we see HC go public on the Nasdaq or OCTBB?

Hmmm..
I'm having FUN <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Thanks Hobie

When pigs fly.

Hobie Alter, Sr. regretted the day he took Hobie public in the mid 70's. It's been a private company since Coleman sold it in 1989.

Another good story about Hobie Alter. http://www.nwyachting.com/articles/hobie/hobie.htm
Hobie and his neighbor Warren Miller,of snow skiing movie fame usually show up at the Seattle Boat Show each year. They both continue to support youth activites on Orcas Island in Washington State.

Caleb Tarleton

Anyone know where Solomon Technology is located? I think it's got a Tampa area code. Interesting technology, I hope we see it on board a Hobie soon!

See http://www.solomontechnologies.com/index2.html
for details on Solomon Technologies. Page to Marine, Recreational for details. Another example of a very innovative company. If you are interested, do a search on Hobart Alter, and you will find many examples of the US Patents he has secured. Very smart guy, and another example of a person without formal technical training that is a real innovator. There are several people on the current Hobie Cat team that share this talent, including people with advanced technical degrees.

Caleb

I thought Wouter invented all that stuff.

Me too.

Gary, Thanks! That was a great read!

Matt,

It would be nice to see some of the Hobie products developed in Europe more available here. I sail Tornado's and in the A-Class because of the quality of the boat and the ride. Hobie does have some nice boats out there, but a focus upon quality, innovation and development at this point would be nice to see. Do not give me the Hobie Mirage as a case in point. I understand what its market value is and the development that the Mirage drive brings. Bring the same back to the sailing side of the company