Starboard Marine, Panama City, FL, April 19th, 2009 A 1989 Yellow Hulled Hobie 16 was reported stolen from Starboard Marine, Back Beach Raod, Panama City, Florda. If you see this boat or have any info, please contact Pat at (850) 235-4805, Starboard Marine. Download pictures and PDF Flyer

Latest test sail and pictures of the new Hobie F18 Wild Cat

Hyeres/France, April 3 april 2009 - Team Zwitserleven Booth/Nieuwenhuis (NED) had the chance to test sail the new Hobie Wild Cat in preparation for the 2009 season. The Wild Cat is nearing completion after a long winter development program and is expected to debut in Carnac, France during the Eurocat regatta at the end of April. The new Hobie is a state of the art F18, created to race at the highest level in the ever-expanding Formula 18 class. Booth and Nieuwenhuis will contest Eurocat, Zwitserleven Race Week (including the Round Texel Race), Duc D'Albe and Formula 18 World Championships in Belgium.

Mitch Booth and Pim Nieuwenhuis were excited about the performance of the new machine and looking forward to the race season to kick off. Nieuwenhuis commented on returning to the beach: 'This boat feels great to sail and very responsive in the gusty conditions we had today." Booth added: "The helm on this boat is a dream and feels like you are gliding on ice. We have put the Wild Cat through some tough testing conditions and she has come out with full marks.'

The Wild Cat, designed by Hobie Cat Europe in conjunction with Martin Fischer (AUS), is along similar lines to the other current F18's with its wave piecing shape and reverse bow stem giving it a very distinctive look. The hulls are the most visible update for the new Hobie, but when looking closely every component has been developed to the latest and highest quality. The extreme high aspect centerboards and the super slick wing mast section just all add to the whole package of a great race boat, which is built by Hobie Cat Europe in Toulon/France.

The long awaited announcement of the Endurance Series is finally here. The new schedule consists of only four races with all counting toward points. This will achieve two goals, one allowing all sailors to compete against each other head to head and two allowing us to focus on making the events higher in quality. The 2008 awards will be given out at the Key's 100 which is the first race of the series.

2009 Endurance Series Schedule
Apr 25–26 – Keys 100- Reef Run (Key Largo to Key West)
July 25-26 -- Gilligan's Run (Daytona Beach)*
Oct 31-Nov 1 -- Hiram's Haul (Melbourne to Sebastian)
Dec 12-13 -- 25 Annual Key Largo Steeplechase (Key Largo)
*- tentative date

Delta Sailing center is pleased to announce to have the first and so far only HOBIE FLEET 888 in China mainland.
http://www.ShenzhenSailing.com is where you find futher information about our private members club.
The club is located outside the City of Shenzhen and has ideal sailing conditions in the south China sea.

Full membership or short term membership is available for the beginner or advanced sailors.
For further information about available membership, available boats and general information, please visit www.ShenzhenSailing.com

As of 2009, the Round Texel Race is to be continued as Zwitserleven Sailing Week. This high-performance event unites spectacular activities that rise the adrenalin. For decades the main focus was on the Round Texel Race itself, whereas the new program becomes more extensive, challenging and longer. Not only for the competitive and recreational sailors, but also for the audience. The first considerable addition is the 2009 World Championship Windsurfing Slalom that will attract world's best windsurfers.

From June 8 until June 13, the Texel beach at Paal 17 will be the center of everything that sails on the sea, beach and through the surf at high speed. The Dutch Championship Catamaran sailing has expanded to three full (instead of half) racing days and the ultimate Round Texel Race on June 13. After the last finish on the first three days, the participants are welcome to compete in the TNG Short Track Races. The exciting finals will be held on Friday. There is also more to do for fun seekers, as the Light House Race to the northern point of Texel will be added to the traditional Horstocht to the south.