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List of Parts

When opening your new Hobie Bravo, make sure to
check that all of the parts are present and that the
boat is in good order.  Find a good clean spot, lay
out all of your components and run through the
checklist.

Large Parts

1.  (1) Hobie Bravo hull
2.  (1) A-Frame w/Vertical support
3.  (1) Sail
4.  (3) Battens
5.  (1) Lower Mast Assembly
6.  (1) Upper Mast Assembly
7.  (1) Rudder w/Tiller Extension
8.  (1) Mast Float

Small Parts Box

9. (1) Main Sheet System

10. (1) Mast Ball
11. (1) Small Bag of Parts

a.(1) Packet of Loctite®
b.(2) A-Frame Cover Plates
c.(2) Sheet Metal Screws for Cover Plate
d.(4) Mast Ball Attachment Screws
e.(1) A-frame Gate Screw
f.(1) Allen Wrench
g.(1) Screw for Upper Vertical Support

4

Drawing is not to scale

1

4

3

2

5

8

7

6

2

10

9

11

11e

11f

11a

11b

11d

11c

11g

19

the wind and falls off onto the opposite, close hauled
point of sail, bring the tiller all the way back to the
straight position and pull the mainsail back in for the
proper sail trim. If you stall pointing into the wind and
you cannot steer the boat, refer back to the sail power
description concerning getting stuck in irons. 

When sailing downwind, turning the boat from one point
of sail across to the other is called a jibe. The jibe is
completed by turning away from the wind (in sailing
terms, “falling off”) to the opposite point of sail rather
than into the wind as when tacking. Care must be taken
when attempting a jibe as the boat will be at full power
and you cannot easily de-power it without turning back
into the wind. Also, be aware that the boat will be less
stable in this maneuver as the sail will now have to
swing completely across from fully out on one side of
the boat to fully out on the other side.

To start a jibe, turn the boat away from the wind and let
the sail out slowly. Keep the turn going at a steady rate
and begin pulling the sail back in as the boat nears the
straight downwind direction. This will help prevent the
sail from slamming all the way across when the sail fills
from the opposite side. Duck below the sail to avoid
getting hit as the wind fills the sail from the opposite side
and swings across the boat. Attempt to control the
speed of the sail while it crosses the deck by
maintaining some tension on the mainsheet. Then ease
the mainsheet out quickly as the boat turns past the
downwind direction onto the new point of sail. Trim the
sail correctly for the desired point of sail.

There are short ribbons (tell tails) hanging on either side
of the sail. Follow the diagram of sail and course
adjustments above using the tell tails to get the most
performance out of the sail for all angles of sailing. The
tell tails react to air flowing over the sail and will help
you see if the sail is pulled in too tight or not enough.  If
you pull the sail too tight you will stall the sail power.
Ease the sail out until it luffs, then pull it in just a little
until it stops luffing.  You will adjust the trim whenever
the wind changes direction or when you change course.

TURNING

To tack or turn the boat into and across the wind to the
opposite direction (also known as "coming about"),
follow the points of the sail guide illustration and take
the boat to the close hauled point of sail. This is when
you are nearly 35 degrees from sailing straight into the
wind. With the boat moving forward and not stalling,
push the tiller away from you slowly. When the boat is
pointing straight into the wind the boat will become level.
Ease the mainsheet trim out just a little. At this time
move your body to the other side of the boat, switch
hands with the tiller and mainsheet and begin to bring
the rudder back to straight.  As the boat comes across

Summary of Contents for Bravo

Page 1: ...r for help and information call 1 800 HOBIE 49 or visit us as www hobiecat com HOBIE CAT COMPANY 4925 Oceanside Blvd Oceanside CA 92056 Phone 760 758 9100 Fax 760 758 1841 info hobiecat com http www hobiecat com Revised 5 05 93450010 ...

Page 2: ...sail and TRY IT OUR WAY FIRST If you are new to sailing this manual alone is not intended to teach you how to sail There are many excellent books videos and courses on the safe handling of small sailboats We suggest you contact your local sailboat dealer college or Coast Guard Auxiliary for recommendations Watch for overhead wires whenever you are rigging launching sailing or trailering with the m...

Page 3: ...in plugs and fasten the bowline Do not release the winch line until the boat is in the water Back the trailer to the left if possible backing left gives better launching visibility Avoid dunking wheel bearings wherever possible Never leave the towing vehicle unattended on the ramp with only the parking brake set If the vehicle must be left while on the ramp set the transmission in park or first ge...

Page 4: ...YSTEM The mainsheet is designed with the novice user in mind The pulley system allows the sailor to let the sail loose quickly to easily reduce speed RUDDER Hobie rudders are equipped with an automatic kick up feature should you encounter shallow water BATTENS Battens are long thin pieces of fiberglass rod These rods give the sail stiffness and help maintain sail shape The unique angles of the Hob...

Page 5: ...from the wind and let the sail out slowly Keep the turn going at a steady rate and begin pulling the sail back in as the boat nears the straight downwind direction This will help prevent the sail from slamming all the way across when the sail fills from the opposite side Duck below the sail to avoid getting hit as the wind fills the sail from the opposite side and swings across the boat Attempt to...

Page 6: ...irons stopped pointed into the wind you will need to reverse the rudder and push the sail forward to back wind it This will back the boat up Reverse the rudder and let the sail out until the boat is positioned more across the wind close reach Then you can correctly trim the sail and start moving forward The red switch on the side of the mainsheet block controls the pulley wheel Having the switch p...

Page 7: ...k up if beached or if hit by some obstruction 17 RUDDER UP KEEP AND PRECAUTIONS 1 When in use make sure that the rudder is locked in the down position You will know if it isn t down if the steering feels heavy 2 If used in saltwater it is always a good idea to rinse the rudder assembly with fresh water 3 If the boat is stored outdoors for extended periods of time without being used remove the rudd...

Page 8: ...Top Section Bottom Section Notch Rivet 6 Snap the boom vang clip to the padeye comes with the boom kit in front of the forward storage hatch The boom vang helps to control the amount of upward lift on the boom Simply pull down on the line and cleat in the boom vang cleat when the boom is at the desired level 7 Attach the mainsheet hook to the padeye at the bottom rear of the boom 8 Now you re read...

Page 9: ... firmly into the strap at the top of the sleeve While putting the mast into the sail be sure that the webbing at the top is in the saddle and the forward edge of the sail is aligned with the froward side of the comptip the notch is located on the forward side of the comptip 4 Now that the sail is on the mast you are ready to put downhaul tension on the sail 5 Rotate the mast so that the knob just ...

Page 10: ... to start to reduce your amount of lean Go down to your knees while pulling back either on the righting line or hiking straps Note How far you have to lean largely depends on your weight It s a good idea to practice this procedure to get a feel for how much lean you need to lift the mast and sail out of the water 8 As the boat comes up slide into the water and grab the hull coming over your head D...

Page 11: ...R LINE COULD BE FATAL 1 Pick up the mast and rest the base of the mast on the mast stepper ball 10 Righting the Boat In the event that the boat tips over you will need to right it Follow the simple instructions below to see how it is properly and safely done We strongly recommend that you practice this in shallow water to prepare yourself It is best to understand how to do this because it can be m...

Page 12: ...t your weight over the side as much as possible Slide your feet under the straps that run through the boat s scuppers to help you hold yourself on the boat as you lean out over the edge This is not only functional but also very exciting Sailing your Hobie Bravo See what everyone is cheering about Unfurling Furling the Sail The sail furling system of your Hobie Bravo makes rolling up your sail a sn...

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