The Hobie 14 catamaran sailboat launched the "Hobie Way of Life" when it leaped onto the world stage with the now famous 1968 Life Magazine "The Cat that Flies" article. This great beachcat is still actively raced today and many new sailors get their first taste of catamaran sailing aboard the Hobie 14 catamaran.

Bob Curry, former World and National Champion on the Hobie 14, has agreed to share his tuning tips for the Hobie 14. His photos and explanations will save the new Hobie 14 catamaran owner lots of time getting rigged, and get the racer around the course a little faster.

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This article will explain the step-by-step method of epoxying the frame of a Hobie 16 together to achieve a stiff, well sailing boat.  The techniques will be very similar and can be applied to a Hobie 14.  This article does not pertain to other Hobies since they do not have the elevated 3 corner casting design.

Rumors about the demise of the Hobie 17 and Hobie 18 are true, here is a statement directly from the Hobie Cat Company. Please add your comments to this article, I'd like to know how cat sailors feel about this.

Dear Hobie Sailors,

October 9, 2003: It is always difficult to come to the end of an "era", but Hobie Cat Company has had to face the fact that it is no longer economically feasible to continue to build our Hobie 17 Special Editions and Hobie 17 Sports, as well as our Hobie 18 Special Editions and Hobie 18 SX's. Both the 17 and 18 enjoyed life cycles that would make any manufacturer proud. More importantly, we are proud of the introduction to sailing and enjoyment they provided to so many people for so many years. For us, it is like saying goodbye to old friends.

NEWPORT, R.I. (October 3, 2003) - The sight of five 12-Metres sailing up Narragansett Bay would be impressive any day of the week. Today, however, the 12s seemingly ushered in the breeze that had kept competitors waiting under a postponement flag for the concluding matches of the International Catamaran Challenge Trophy (ICCT). For the first time since 1976, it would come down to the final match in this best four-out-of-seven finals before the champagne was uncorked to spray the winners and award "The Little America's Cup" for the 23rd time since the event was created in 1961.