RIP Hobart “Hobie” Alter
Father of modern small catamarans dies aged 80Hobie Alter started out shaping surfboards and ended up shaping a culture that included his famous Hobie 14 and Hobie 16 catamarans.
Hobie not only sold his catamarans but he sold a way of life along with them. Hobie regattas were renowned in early days as party meets with a bit of sailing woven into them. But Hobie also promoted his family boats, insisting that the Hobie 16 was the ideal craft for a couple to sail together or for a father/mother and child crew.
Hobie started making his popular cats in 1968 and the company has gone on to produce the best-known one-design class in the world. The recent Hobie Worlds at Jervis Bay attracted 452 entries from 24 different countries.
The Hobie brand also still produces surfboards, skateboards, kayaks, apparel and sunglasses.
Hobie passed away peacefully at his Palm Desert home on March 29. He was aged 80.
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