The CompTip is the fiberglass upper mast section on Hobie Cats made by Hobie USA. The upper section is designed to be non-conductive.
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<br>The CompTip was created when the Coleman Company (coolers, tents etc.) owned Hobie Cat. It was the mid 80's and liability lawsuits were running rampant through the US (not that they are any different now) Coleman had "deep pockets" and a ton to lose. People were getting killed by stepping, trailering and sailing their catamarans into high voltage wires. Catamarans were sailing in bigger numbers and on more bodies of water (and shallower waters) with taller rigs than other types of sailboats.
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<br>Hobie Cat addressed the problem by creating the CompTip. All boats since '85-'86 have had the CompTip as original equipment. Other models made before that time were offered a free retrofit. (the retrofit program was cancelled by Coleman last November 2000 after running for over 15 years.)
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<br>To keep the boats as "one design" as possible, the class association made them mandatory for racing. All boats since have been designed for the CompTip. The only boat that is even resonably questioned, as to the performance aspect (difference from aluminum), is the 16. The 16 seems to have a bit more twist off the top of the sail with the tip installed. This is an advantage in heavier winds and a possible reduction in medium winds. The 17 and 20's were designed with CompTips and the 18 uses the same tapered design. Each of these have less windage and weight aloft and offer greater sail shape control with downhaul. In all cases, the boats are safer due to the non conductive design. There have been many cases where lives have been saved because of it.
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<br>The disadvantage? More possible leak entry points. These are easily solved and we have very few problems with them these days.
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<br>Matt Miller
<br>mmiller@hobieco.com
<br>Hobie Cat Company
