Beginning Catamaran Sailors Get a Little Help From Friends

Hobie P. Alter said the plug on his computer had been accidentally pulled by the guy who elivered bottled water, so he didn’t mind teaching some sailing. In any event, he figured it would be a nice, if brief, vacation from worrying whether the records from his sunglasses business had disappeared along with the electricity.

“Even after all the time I’ve been sailing, it’s still nice to get out,” Alter said. “Even when there’s hardly any wind.”

Hobie P. Alter, 30--the son of Hobie L. Alter, inventor of the Hobie Cat--has been sailing since he was 6. He teaches sailing about as often as someone pulls his computer’s plug--which is almost never. That is indicative of one problem facing those who want to learn catamaran sailing. In fact, Alter says, although sailing classes are offered, few people teach catamaran sailing.

“I don’t teach (on a regular basis), and I don’t know that many people who do,” he said. “I think most people who sail catamarans get into it by a friend. Pretty soon it’s a pyramid thing, with friends of friends and each guy helping the next one start.”

Within a couple of hours, an experienced sailor can teach a beginner wind angles, adjustment of the sails and steering. After the first few lessons, most sailors need only to hone their techniques. Beginners should start sailing on lakes during light winds rather than the more turbulent ocean, Alter said.

“I would say a beginner needs two full days to get around,” he said. “Like any sport, it’s just how much time you want to put into it.”

Sailors who teach themselves often run into problems. Alter says he knows of a logger in the Pacific Northwest who rigged his catamaran backward and became proficient at sailing it. He didn’t realize his problem until he showed up for a race and noticed everyone else’s boat was rigged differently.

Getting started in catamaran sailing will take a fairly hefty investment. Alter says a new catamaran will cost $4,000 to $5,000 at most marine supply stores. Used catamarans, perhaps a better investment for strictly weekend sailors, can sometimes be picked up for about $1,000.

“Catamarans are like cars,” Alter said. “You’ve got the deluxe ones and the basic ones.”