| Re: Spitfire Sailing Video
[Re: Dermot]
#31553 03/19/04 12:12 AM 03/19/04 12:12 AM |
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 1,037 Central California ejpoulsen
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Posts: 1,037 Central California | Sweet. Pitch and pendulum--we've all been there!
Eric Poulsen A-class USA 203 Ultimate 20 Central California
| | | Re: Spitfire Sailing Video
[Re: jmhoying]
#31554 03/19/04 08:40 AM 03/19/04 08:40 AM |
Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 915 Dublin, Ireland Dermot OP
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Posts: 915 Dublin, Ireland | I also wondered why all the pitchpoles were shown. You don't see that many when racing with these guys and girls. These people hold off top Formula 18 crews. I raced with them in strong winds and never saw any of the top crews over. I asume that they sailed in that restricted area to get the aerial shots from the bridge. The wind may have been very flukey and gusty. Also, to get good action shots, they may have been sailing tighter reaches than usual.
The class mostly races short windward leward courses and the racing is very close. If one of the crew need to go on the wire downwind, it is the crew. The helm needs to concentrate completely on his steering. Even if the crew slips,as long as the helm is sitting right back with his feet in the toestraps, it is likely that they will recover from a near pitchpole.
It is still cold on the lake, but racing starts on the 28th. I think (?) that I am looking forward to it !
Dermot Catapult 265
| | | Re: Spitfire Sailing Video
[Re: Dermot]
#31556 03/19/04 08:55 AM 03/19/04 08:55 AM |
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,528 Looking for a Job, I got credi... scooby_simon Hull Flying, Snow Sliding.... |
Hull Flying, Snow Sliding....
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,528 Looking for a Job, I got credi... | Do most teams trap the crew out first? I love to drive from the wire downwind. Always did on the Hurricane 5.9. Gives a better balance as the crew can move around more to keep the hull flying in the light stuff. I also used to Love double trap with 3 Sails up too....Now Single trap with Main and Kite on my own.....
F16 - GBR 553 - SOLD I also talk sport here | | | Re: Spitfire Sailing Video
[Re: scooby_simon]
#31557 03/19/04 10:26 AM 03/19/04 10:26 AM |
Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 805 Gainesville, FL 32607 USA dacarls
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Posts: 805 Gainesville, FL 32607 USA | What great images! If the Hobie Cat company still had anyone as innovative as Hobie Alter, they would be using terrific modern advertising like this. Maybe then I would have more than 2 people in my local fleet and we could put on regattas for X-boats again. (Long drawn-out Sigh)
We could even show the Spitfires how to use chicken lines.
Dacarls: A-class USA 196, USA 21, H18, H16 "Nothing that's any good works by itself. You got to make the damn thing work"- Thomas Edison
| | | Re: Spitfire Sailing Video
[Re: jmhoying]
#31558 03/19/04 01:22 PM 03/19/04 01:22 PM |
Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 277 Baton Rouge, LA Dean
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Posts: 277 Baton Rouge, LA | Capsize: fall down, go boom. Pitchpole: now there's real beauty.
Ahh, the pleasant pitchpole. The slow elevator ride to vertical or nearly so. The sinking realization that you are no longer cool not to have recognized the limit and not to have backed-off in time to prevent the inevitable. The echo of one's dear departed Mom in the overconfident gray cells saying, "You're gonna kill yourself on that thing." (She had long since dropped the "Just wait 'til your father gets home" appendage to the admonition.) Helplessly you ask yourself "Why didn't it rubber band back like it does, sometimes?" How smart you are, you tell yourself, up to your chin in salt water, that you stuck out your arm in order to prevent your noggin' and/or ribs from banging into the mast (big bruise already on that arm). Mere moments before a gorilla on a wire and now simply a wet monkey at the level of fishbait, plankton, and other simple or no-minded creatures among the flotsam. The alpha male reigned in by the Alpha Cat. You da man. It was wonderful; which is kinda hard to explain.
| | | Re: Innovative?
[Re: dacarls]
#31560 03/19/04 02:16 PM 03/19/04 02:16 PM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 1,252 California mmiller
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Posts: 1,252 California | Hey dacarls...
Did you know that Hobie Alter has not been part of Hobie Cat since the mid 80's. Since then... have you heard of the Hobie TriFoiler, Hobie Wave, Hobie Getaway, Hobie Bravo, Hobie 21 Sport Cruiser, Hobie Mirage kayaks? The Hobie 20? In the French factory... The Hobie Tiger, Hobie Fox, FX1 and many others? Hobie Cat has many very innovative designs since Hobie Alter. Sure, many are based on other designs, but what cat isn't really.
I think you have that wrong, Videos? Heard of Sharing the wind? That was a professional movie... not just a video. Hobie Cat France has been making professional videos of the major Worlds events for years. Have you been to the Hobie Website to see all of the videos that are available for download?
Can't imagine why you think videos are new or innovative, but we have learned over the years to stay away from stuff that scares people like a bunch of crashes and capsizes. That stuff is fun for us to watch, but probably won't sell any boats.
Know what? We (I) have a video system for creating rigging and marketing videos here. I have completed a DVD package this winter that dealers used at shows and will have in their stores. It includes all of the latest promo videos and copies of the 16 and Tiger Worlds movies and the Hobie History Movie. We'll let you know when it becomes available to the public. | | | Re: Innovative?
[Re: mmiller]
#31564 03/19/04 03:36 PM 03/19/04 03:36 PM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 1,459 Annapolis,MD Keith
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Posts: 1,459 Annapolis,MD | Since then... have you heard of the Hobie TriFoiler, Hobie Wave, Hobie Getaway, Hobie Bravo, Hobie 21 Sport Cruiser, Hobie Mirage kayaks? The Hobie 20? No offense, but... Innovative designs to be sure, but the only one that was inspiring to me in that list was the 20. Although the Wave has made its place in a way. I suppose when I see a Wave or Getaway in the heavy surf ala Sharing the Wind I'll change my mind... Mentioning the Euro Hobies only drives the point home for me. I remember seeing the Euro boats on the web (varients on the 21, Pacifica, Dragoon, etc.) and thinking "why can't we get or build those boats here?" It seemed that it took awhile for the US market for the Tiger to even be recognized. Now it's catch-up time. It's great that the Euro boats are there to import now. But the blame is placed on the open class. Sorry if it all sounds negative, I'm just raw-dumping my feelings I guess. I'd like to see Hobie succeed, and in way that grows all of cat sailing. Just like I like to drive but would be upset if all I could buy was a Chevy. Of course, my faith would be restored if Hobie-USA came out with an affordable and competitive A-Cat, non roto-molded... | | | Hobie is doing ok...
[Re: Keith]
#31565 03/19/04 04:50 PM 03/19/04 04:50 PM |
Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 264 Neb flounder
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Posts: 264 Neb | I no longer own a Hobie, but have had just about every model other than the H16. My dad has owned a Getaway since they came out. I'll tell you what, that boat really is wonderful from a standpoint of usability, friendliness, and fairly performance oriented. If it were a little tougher (we have had hull cracking problems on the x-bar openings) I'd give it a 10.
Hobie is not going to drop the H16 all of the sudden, so that boat is staying until they have a viable phase out program in place. The Hobie 20 was very popular for a while, and the Formula boats have stolen it's thunder now. Hobie was nice enough to bring back the H17 for another year, although I have not seen one newer than 1994.
The problem is not the companies, although HCA's demands are not condusive to catamaran sailing as a whole. The bigger problem is new sailors. Where are they? Hobie and Performace can come out with all the boats they want to. In ten-twenty years, who will buy them?
Both companies really have to think about taking a page from surfing and windsurfing. Companies like Billabong and Quicksilver are always backing movie makers. If you want to be an "Action Sport" you have to show the action to the younger people. Market freedom and excitement. When I was 14, I could not wait to jump on my Hobie 14 because I would be out on my own away from my mom and dad. We found that boat for $750. Cheaper than most good surfboards.
The only thing most people know about Hobie is surfboards and clothes. Performance is even worse... I get looks like I am from outer space.
So moral of the story. Boat design means nothing if you don't have anyone to sell to. In the future, the way things are looking, their will be less sailors. That equates to less money for the boat companies and the end of sailing organizations. | | | Re: Innovative?
[Re: Keith]
#31566 03/19/04 04:51 PM 03/19/04 04:51 PM |
Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 915 Dublin, Ireland Dermot OP
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Posts: 915 Dublin, Ireland | Keith, I think that I am right in saying that the Hobie 20 is a licenced copy of the Hurricane 5.9, designed and built by the Spitfire co-designer and builder, Reg White.
Dermot Catapult 265
| | | Re: Spitfire Sailing Video
[Re: grob]
#31567 03/19/04 05:11 PM 03/19/04 05:11 PM |
Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 915 Dublin, Ireland Dermot OP
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Posts: 915 Dublin, Ireland | Gareth, My two sons are now 26 and 24. The eldest was always interested and was my full time crew from the age of 12, until he got his own Dart 18. He now races a Spitfire. The second was more nervous ("Put it down dad" if I flew a hull)and was 15 before he asked to crew. He crewed for me on a Dart 18 and after that for three years on the Hawk. He is now a senior sailing Instructor. I don't think that you will have to do any pushing !
Dermot Catapult 265
| | | Re: Innovative?
[Re: Dermot]
#31568 03/19/04 05:25 PM 03/19/04 05:25 PM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 1,459 Annapolis,MD Keith
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Posts: 1,459 Annapolis,MD | Dermot, Don't know, so I'll agree! But it may be why I always thought the boat/design was due for a Tornado-style update, ie self tacking jib, fat-head main, spinnaker. A little one-design class rejuvenation/resurrection and excitement builder. | | |
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