Caribbean Winter Cat Race Pics

Bruce, How do the Inter17, and FX One compare? I get the impression Harper thinks the Hobie hulls have the advantage in chop/waves, but after comparing my 1988 Hobie 17 to an Inter 17R, I rather like the large hulls, and would think you would have the advantage. Thanks for the great pics! Brian

Hey Brian,

How are you doing? Thanks for the questions.

First of all, the H-17 is one heck of a uni,...I envy those wing things! In 2003 Rolex and BVI, a guy came down with Rick Bliss and gang,...with a H-17 named the USS Enterpoop came and sailed well. I mean we were in big wind,...big waves,....and the H-17 w/wings sailed to its rating and never backed down.

The FX-1 is entirely different. The hulls, mast, sails,....not to be compared to a H-17. It is just full throttle all the way,..all the time. Harper has dialed the boat in our conditions,...winds 15-20,...waves 3-ish,.....and is out 6-7 hours a week sailing. It is something to see the FX-1 disappear between waves only to see HArpers head and the sailplan above the waterline...!

I-17 hulls like to be underwater,..in these conditions,..I mean 80% of the hull is submerged 75% of the time,..I have to back off when the waves get too tall,..I just run out of boat!

Wouter explains the physics very well,..I have to keep my bow in the water upwind and foot off for speed....and the boat likes it too,...planing to be at the upwind mark the same time as the FX-1

The FX-1 planes upwind on its U-shaped botom with the front 3-4 feet of hull bottom exposed to the air...!

As you can see,..2 very different designs.

You would be very good sailing either, Brian.

As you can see in the pics,..when you see smooth water, and a reef 'wave' in the distance,...we are inside the reef.

Outside the reef, as you can see, is when the waves'swallow' the boats!

More pics to come!

regards,

Bruce
I-17 Euro
St. Croix

Bruce, Thanks for your reply and descriptions! Both boats sound wild and fantastic! Especially in those conditions! I remember being out on my 17 when it was blowing about 20, and there was a good three foot chop. I was on the tramp because a friend was out on the wire, and the wings couldn't take both of us. I was under water a few times, and nearly washed off the back of the boat. It must be incredible down where you guys are!

Hey Brian,

Let me tell you more about your boat, the H-17.

At the above mentioned 2003 Rolex, the USS Enterpoop ( H-17), I will find his name somewhere, I think it was Bill, older sailor, nice guy too, was in a class with 7 Puerto Ricans H-16s which came to use the race as a training session for the Pan-Am games, so the Puerto Rican H-16 teams were not 'casual' racers, but top ocean H-16 sailors.

The 3 days of racing is set with large monohulls in mind, we go where they go,..around islands, into open oceans and such.
The portsmouth rating for the H-17 and H-16 is pretty close, which is hard to believe because that H-16 main is so big, I mean the boom is back to the rudders,..right? :-)..

Well, the H-17 was right up with these great PR sailors everytime,.....I mean, he was right with them upwind and downwind,...they went around the course in a little group of 8-9 boats,.....it was a great site to see such close racing...

If you could find aplace near to you Brian,...where it can blow 20-25,..in a protected waterway,...a river,..a bay,....someplace where you can let the H-17 run without dealing with the waves over 2 feet (..this is your only limiting factor to extreme H-17 speed,...the same with me too)

...so find this spot Brian, ...and I will come up to sail with you all!!

regards,

Bruce
St. Croix USVI