So I went out and bought a 1984 Hobie Cat 14 Turbo. Now that is a 24 year old boat. So that’s pretty old. Anyway $800 with a trailer and then an extra $100 for trapeze, dog bones, rudder pins, etc.

I went over the entire boat and found it to be in good condition except for the UV damage to the trampoline and the screw that held down the forestay on the port hull would not tighten to my liking.

Well, today it was 90 degrees and blowing 20 + at the lake so what better time for a good trial run to make sure the boat was worthy when my kids take it out.

I put that boat through its paces. Flew the hull, out on the trapeze, pitch pole recovery, rudders humming loud, lots of Jib turns and water everywhere.

When rigging I dropped the mast on the rudder and took out a chunk that I can fix with marine tex. Got it rigged, in the water with the sail up and shoved off. Found the stitching in part of the jib falling out so I get to sew a little this week but otherwise I was doing well. Had a bit of a hard time getting into the trapeze in 20 knot winds but after getting the trap adjusted to my size and overcoming my fear ( I have not been on a trapeze nor sailed a Hobie in about 8 years ) I found that experience very rewarding just like a heavy plane on a windsurfer. By the way, I am using a large dog bone to accommodate my windsurfing harness so I don’t have to buy another harness.

I do about 10 fast, strong runs across the lake, with each turn being a jibe rather than a tack in 20 knot wind and then it happened. My last jib was just like all the others but when I finally turned, down came the mast. That forestay screw that I mentioned earlier gave way. I flagged down a boat and got towed to shore de-rigged and went to the Hobie dealer. He showed me how to make an easy fix by repositioning the forestay bolt on the hull. Total cost in parts $4.23. Thanks to WindMark in Buford Ga.

So now I will fix the boat and it will be ready for me and the kids. I also punched a hole in the UV damaged tramp and I will have to replace that.

Hobie dealer says the hulls are in great shape, sail is in good shape, tramp shot, and everything else is good. I love Hobies. This is my 4th Hobie 14. Now all I need is some shore break and ocean waves.

And yes, I do have a Hawaiian righting system installed.

I did promise some rides yesterday but they will have to wait until the mast stays up by itself.

Your in Georgia!? drag that think up to Lake Lanier Sailing Club this weekend for the Reggae Regaatta maan. Though it will be a bit of a mixed bag, we should have a pretty good catamaran fleet.

Give me a link to the race if there is one. What day, time etc?

My buddy went turtle on a 17 yesterday. Blowing 23+ on Lanier. Yesterday is when they should have had the race.

sounds like you had fun... 20 knots can get pretty wild... i usually feel "spent" after a day sailing in 20... but glad i made it through the experience!

not to sound like an snob, but there are many lessons in your writeup.... and maybe someone else going out for the first time will see these lessons and save themself some trouble.

1. If you have a lose bolt on your rigging... expect drama if you don't get it fixed
2. adjust your gear (trap adjustments) before hitting the water
3.If your tramp is shot.... DO NOT USE IT... you could fall through your tramp stepping the mast and break a leg (or worse) on the trailer below.

and it sounds like a good idea to handle these issues before you take other people out on your boat.. its one thing to kill yourself... but killing crew is usually not a good thing (usually)

http://www.llsc.com/

Sat. and Sun. Great party - terrific food.

Good crew is hard to find, crew that doesn't whine is priceless.

I'll be at Reggae on the N20.

I wish I could have been on the lake yesterday. It looked fresh from my vantage point in the backyard, building a stupid garden box... grrr.

Here's the more specific link to the Reggae Regatta info:
http://www.llsc.com//Messages/MessagePopUp.asp?Key=413

I see blackmail material !!!!