A local group of dedicated catamaran sailors in California are attempting to "Fight City Hall". They want to reverse years of declining public beach access in California for sailing beach catamarans from the beach as they were designed. Located only about 100 miles from the birthplace of the Hobie Cat Company, catamaran sailing in the Channel Islands Harbor area was once so common that "Hobie Beach" is the official name of the public beach in question.

You would think that sailing catamarans from a beach named "Hobie Beach" would not be a problem, but these sailors need your help. Read about the efforts of the CICDA (Channel Islands Catamaran and Dinghy Association) to regain sanctioned beach access at Hobie Beach.

Royal Findhorn Yacht Club 12th & 13th July 2003.

The promise of good weather encouraged twenty catamarans to travel North to Findhorn for the Typhoon National Championships. The fleet consisted of Hurricanes, Hobie 16’s, Stealth’s, a Tornado, Spitfire & Dart 15 including a number of new faces. Considering travelling times of up to seven hours for some, an excellent turnout for the most Northerly catamaran racing event in the UK.

After battling the tide race at the narrows to get to the race area in the Moray Firth, three races were sailed on the Saturday on a Windward Leeward course in winds building from Force two to a strong five by the end of play.

The 2003 National Championship event for Nacra, Prindle and Inter and now Formula 18 catamarans is scheduled for October 13th through 16th in Pensacola Beach, Florida, according to Jack Young of Performance Catamarans. Columbus Day starts the racing, however registration will begin Sunday evening, followed by a Welcome Party and Skippers meeting, sponsored by Performance Catamarans. Racing will begin Monday morning, October 13th and continue through October 16th, weather permitting.

Here we will discuss the main differences between catamaran sailboats and dinghies. I sail and race both, and this, in my humble opinion, is what I consider to be important to know for racing catamarans. Note: This concerns beach cats and non-planing monohulls (keelboats and dinghies). If you're sailing an Aussie-18 or F-40 Cat, I have no idea.

First person present tense works best for this catamaran sailing story. It allows me to think and try to feel what I was thinking and feeling then.

Background: Port Aransas, Texas (on Mustang Island) Hobie Fleet 99 annual Sand Dune Regatta, after sailing the last race on Saturday

It's been a frustrating day. Wind 10 to 15 and gentle swells, but the courses were set with very long upwind and downwind legs, and very short reaches. Upwind, cross current and almost broadside to the wave action. Downwind about the same but with a few sleigh rides. All races were course VIIs.