RAHBC: Cat Sailing
Cat sailing is very active at RAHBC. We have races almost every weekend, there is training and lots of fun sailing.
The Hobie-16:
We have a great fleet of 11 Hobie-16
cats
(short for catamarans). These are very fast two man boats. In addition,
several members own private cats.
The "Cat-ticket":
Club Cats are available to any member of RAHRC with a valid "Cat Helms
ticket". To get a cat ticket you must successfully complete the
requirements set out on the
Cat Ticket Checklist.
This checklist is used by an examiner when he
tests you out. Examiners are listed on the "list of
examiners and people with
a valid helm ticket". Give them a call for an appointment or find one
on the beach. There are usually a few around on Thursday or Friday afternoon.
For anyone going out in a cat (club or private): note and follow the
Sailing
Competencies Rules and Cat Checklist.
Training:
Dave Clark
(tel: 99732035) is our "Cat Trainer". Give
him a call for a place on the next cat training session. His courses are for
those that already have basic sailing skills and want to "convert" to Cat sailing.
If your are new to sailing: start with a Laser or Topper (for young teenagers)
course and when that is completed "convert" to Cats.
Dave wrote a good
"cat:
sailing basics" guide. He also published a "List of sailing terms:
English (and Dutch) as they appear in the guide. Some good information on
"how to rig and sail a cat" is available from the old "Prindle Guide"
(the cats we used to sail before we had Hobie's).
Team Racing:
Every first Friday of the month we sail the famous "Cat Team Races". This is a combination of
"very serious racing" (for the top 3-4 teams) and a "great sail
with friends" for all. The basic principle is that
at least three pairs of helm/crew per team sail a session (2 races) each. The results of the day add up to a winner of
the Month. The October to July race scores are added up culminating in an annual
winning team. Contact the cat-captain (David Boeyinga) for details on how to join and whom to
contact in a team. Most teams are in perpetual demand for sailors.
Monthly Mug:
Every 3rd Friday individual handicap races (Monthly Mug) are held. Just book one
of the cats and join the fun. Bookings can be made through the
Cat captain.
Fastest
"Round the island" run:
This is "THE BIG ONE". Fahal island is 4 km away from our beach. Start
from the beach, sail around the island and get back to beach (a trip of about
10.7 km). Fastest time is recorded for eternity. Fastest
in any boat: "The Blue Ribbon". Fastest in an Optimist: "The
Golden Duck". Both awards are fiercely coveted. Have a go yourself!
Oman
Hobie-16 National and Open Championship:
First ever ever held in 2004 at RAHBC
and every year since.
There is a separate event for Youth. See the details on:
See also the RAHBC/Oman participation in the 2005 HOBIE 16 WORLD Championship
Other
Cat events/races at RAHBC:
See the Sailing
races in Oman: results and pictures of all historic sailing races page. The
yearly regatta (a 2 day sailing extravaganza) is one of the highlights of the
sailing calendar.
Links to Hobie/Cat related websites: