Hobie Wave Traveller

Dear All,

I have been reading through the posts with particular attention to those discussions about the Hobie Wave. On one they taked about a Wave Traveller being available. I've had a look round and it only seems to be for sail from Backyard Boats (the online site for Hobie). However, there are no pictures of what it looks like. Does anyone have a picture of it?

Also, what are the advantages of having a traveller fitted rather than using the standard fixed position. I've got an old Club Wave - not sure how old it is but I'd guess about 1989.

Regards, Tim

I think the big advantage of a traveler on a Wave is for sailing off the wind in a breeze. You can let out the traveler but then sheet in to reduce the twist at the top of the sail, thereby reducing pitchpole tendencies.

It is a short boat to begin with, and the mast is set very far forward, so on reaches and downwind, you don't really want all that twist at the top of the sail.

A traveler would also make jibing less precarious when it is windy.

If you go to Hobiecat.com forums, there's a thread on adding the traveler with photos and detailed instructions, even the modifications needed to add it on a "classic" SE Wave.

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=9323

The kit should be available from any Hobie dealer, but probably not a stocked item.

True, we all can get them. I've installed 3 so far and it really adds a dimension of sail control that the wave is lacking. As Mary said it really helps the sail not collapse on itself off the breeze.

Dear All,

Thank you for such a speedy response. The link answered all my questions - no idea how I missed seeing the Traveller in the latest catelog. Now I know how it will improve things I'll definitely add it to my Christmas list!!

Last year with my Christmas money I bought a set of Winter Weather gear so I could sail all year round (previously finished in October and really missed the sailing) so having something that will improve sailing in higher winds is a must.

Regards, Tim

The sail does not collapse on itself off the breeze -- on the contrary, it becomes very full and powerful, especially up at the top, and makes the boat want to (or actually to) pitchpole because of all that power up high.

I should add that the traveler actually performs the same or similar function as a boom vang. If you had a vang, you would not need a traveler.

Only problem is that the Wave does not have a boom. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

You're right Mary. I was thinking Bravo. Got confused, plastic boat, colorful sail, single point mainsheet attachment. Sorry for the misinformation.

J <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Yes, I thought you must have been thinking Bravo.

No traveler on a cat......stupid.
Do anything to get one if it is allowed in any racing ect you might do.

Not class legal for racing. This is a KISS boat. If travelers were allowed for racing, the class would die -- in fact, would never have developed in the first place.

Okay Mary, you've made me question my understanding of sailing again. I thought the reason the traveller helped was by keeping power ON the top part of the sail when reaching. It seems to me that when bearing off, as you let the Wave's sail out, the top of the sail twists farther away and spills the wind, thus losing power. I thought the purpose of the traveller was to help keep the sail flat as it is eased, thus keeping air in the upper part and MORE power in the sail.

I thought the normal twist was part of the design to naturally de-power the sail as the sheet is eased, thus keeping the resort-rental-customer safer and LESS likely to capsize or pitch-pole.