Hi all,
This weekend I rented a Hobie 16 (first time I sailed a cat myself). The boat was finicky at first but after about an hour we came to an agreement. She promised to tack gracefully if I promised not to let my attention lapse all the time and to quit singing while hiked out...

All in all it was really great fun, best sail i've had in ages, the water was flat, the wind was nice and the sun was hot. Great conditions to get used to a new boat.

I just have one question: how do you Hobie sailors keep from getting cut up knees when scrambling across the nets while tacking? I actually ended up with small cuts all over my knees, which were also pretty sore, even the next day. My mate, who handled the jib, said he had no problems, but handed me the tiller back complaining of painful knees, after we switched for a few tacks.
I didn't spot any damaged eyelets that would have caused it, but I didn't use a magnifying glass either.

What did we do wrong, or does this just come with the territory?

Regards,
Dennis

It sortof comes with the territory - if you get sand or grit on the trampoline, it quickly turns into sandpaper. Most of us wear knee pads of some sort - especially if we're going to be out for a long day of racing. There are several different ones to choose from but I've had the best comfort (still - not all that great) from "Sailing Angles Knee Sleeves".

I've got blood stains inside my drysuit.

I also tried wearing knee pads... just a tip, don't try to wear them for 17 hours straight and not have some pain the day after.

I wear scrub pants- works well, but not the most stylish thing out there

Your best bet is to rinse off your feet before bringing them onto the boat. I usually drag mine in the water for a few seconds. Not much more you can do other than what was already said.

I also wear pants that at least come over the knee, even if its very warm weather - My issue is with the mesh tramps. They can do some damage, especially when they're new. A nice, thin set of kneepads or longer pants can do the trick for short-term excursions - Otherwise, Wetsuit with padded knees along w/kneepads work well for me.

At longer week long events, I keep a small hand broom handy to sweep off the trampoline before the day's racing.

What?!?! No Dust Buster?? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You get used to it. The skin hardens up after a few weeks and it's no longer a worry.
You will however always come in with some amount of bark missing from many and varied locations over the body, it does to an extent, come with the territory.

Now there's an idea! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I can just see me - the sun coming up and I'm out there dust-busting my trampoline preparing for a day of racing.

Thanks everyone,
at least now I know what I'm up against next time I go cat sailing!

It's probably my not being used to the boat that makes matters worse. I remember I never used to come home from racing without cuts and bruises in the strangest places. It just surprised me, getting cuts from a big soft trampoline!

Dennis

I'm getting a visual here. Something that includes a french maid outfit. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

OK...that's enough of that!