Hobie Kat @ Castaway Cay

[UVAWahoo]

Hi all,

Our very first cruise is coming up in October and we are very excited . Trying to do some advance planning of some activities at Castaway Cay.

Has anyone rented a hobie kat at Castaway Cay?
Can a beginner with no sailing experience operate it?
Does anyone know how many people the Hobie Kat can accomodate?

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[marthachick]

Also interested in knowing this.

 

[Ski-and-Sea]

DH rents them every time we go to CC.

To answer your question......it would obviously help if you've used one before but I don't think they are that complicated. The CMs are extremely helpful in giving advice.

And if you get stuck out in the water, then the CMs will come out on jet skis and help you.

One time at CC it was absolutely tranquil, no wind at all. Us and two other sailboats lost our wind and were basically just sitting still. A CM comes out on a jet ski asking if anything was wrong.

We just shrugged our shoulders and said we're waiting for the wind to pick up.

I don't know the exact number of people that can fit. I will tell you that we had four people and we had loads of room left.

I would go for it. And if there isn't anyone waiting to rent one then the CMs will let you stay out longer than the "alloted" time.

 

[SeaSpray]

Does anyone know how wet you get when you go out on the Hobie cats? We're cruising again in February and my DH really wants to rent one of these. I'm thinking it might be pretty chilly in February, but if we won't get too wet this might be a fun thing to try. Thanks in advance

 

[ScouterJT]

Does anyone know how wet you get when you go out on the Hobie cats? We're cruising again in February and my DH really wants to rent one of these. I'm thinking it might be pretty chilly in February, but if we won't get too wet this might be a fun thing to try. Thanks in advance

well, .... it depends ...

you do need to wade out a bit to get on the Hobie Kat and then back in.

As long as you don't capsize, you shouldn't get that wet.

But, it you are not used to sailing -- or your crew doesn't shift weight fast enough when you tack, you may get VERY wet.

When we were there in April, the CMs strongly suggested that someone have some sailing experience (of course, there was a good breeze that day).

 

[Redbudlover]

If you have no sailing experience there is a very strong likelihood you will get wet. You will definitely get wet launching. then if you are lucky enough to get some wind, there is a strong likelihood you will capsize. The alternative is sitting out on the lake thinking you have no wind when in fact you just don't know how to use what is there. also Hobies come in different sizes - and although there seems to be a lot of room on it, the issue is the weight, not the amount of room. My best suggestion is to take a couple of lessons before you go to learn how to capture the wind and to tack. Otherwise you will spend a lot of time stalled and not know how to get back!

 

[UVAWahoo]

Thank you all for your helpful insights. We'll try and learn some sailing skills before trying this out.

We have 5 people in our family (me, DW, DD9, DS7, DS5). Does castaway cay have a hobie that can fit 5 people and is it safe for the kids? Everyone is a good swimmer except for me

 

[professorandmom]

Just an FYI - I was raised in new england, sailed all through my growing up years and it is in my blood. In order to rent the hobie cat, they asked if I had been sailing in the last year (I live in Indiana now)...I didn't think and said "no" and they wouldn't rent to me...I decided not to try to explain but no one was renting the cats on that day
Your experience may vary...
Barb