ok...here the deal...i have a Hobie 17 SE sport. I want to race in a regatta and get some experience. If I do not use the jib ...Can i sail in the H-17 class? Can i sail it solo in the open class? sorry for all the questions...just new to the 17. Thanks in advance<br><br>

Don't know, but a 17 Sport was singlehanded to a top-3 finish in the South Texas Ruff Rider distance race in High Portsmouth this past weekend (the other top three were Hobie Getaways, both of the two in the race. Last time I saw a Getaway race it took a top-3 spot out of 12 boats in Open class at Hobie Mid-Americas. Do I sense an impending rating shift?)
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<br>sail fast y'all
<br>AT<br><br>

"Do I sense an impending rating shift?"
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<br>We have two Getaways in our area and they consistantly finish last! So you my be right there may be a rating shift but to a slower rating.<br><br>

yes, last boat-for-boat...but how do they correct out? With an 84.7 rating, the Getaway can finish behind all the 16's, the nacra 5.O's, the P16's...and still correct out. I know that I can't shake a well-sailed one upwind with a 5.5u until I start to think trapeze, or downwind ever without a chute.
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<br>sail fast(er than those plastic hobies)
<br>at<br><br>

Hi Sam,
<br>Technically you wouldn't be "Hobie 17 Class Legal" but, so what.
<br>I assume you are talking about leaving the jib off and just using the mainsail with the boomlet.
<br>Your boat should actually be a little slower because of the additional weight of the sport speader pole and jib hardware.
<br>The mast is the same on all H 17's but early sports had a smaller mainsail.
<br>Nowadays all H 17's cpme from the factory with "Sport" on the hulls and the sails are identical.
<br>You could get a new forestay and bridle, boom, sail(?), and remove the jib blocks and race "Class" legal.
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<br>Are you coming to Cat Fest at Lake Norman this weekend?
<br>E-mail me.
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<br>See Ya,
<br>Sam Evans<br><br>

We have a Getaway which has raced in our fleets most of this season. The owner is an experienced big boat sailor,, but new to catamaran racing. He corrects out quite well against other B-fleet H16 sailors,, and it is not unusual for him to achieve a top 3 finish in his catagory. I had a lot of fun crewing for him one weekend,, and even enjoyed a proper pitchpole with it !!
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<br>The current rating for the Getaway was a calculated probationary number set, based on performance expectations relative to other boats in its near performance.class.
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<br>Our seasonal actual results will be submitted to USSA, and will undoubtedly result in a refinement of the existing rating. I hope that other RC's will see that thier results are submitted in a usable fashion as well. In what direction ?? Only time will tell.
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<br>Keep at least one hull in the air,,,,,
<br>Alan Maguire<br><br>

H-17 Sport is class legal with modifications. Check with your dealer for the necessary parts: forestay, bridle, rotation Arm, boom with hardware. The traveler that came with the boat is legal. We have several H-17 Sports in the Northwest that race with the SE modifications. The new main sails are identical.<br><br>