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Catamaran Sailing

Catamaran Sailing, or 'Cat Sailing' for short is the fastest, most exciting form of small boat sailing. UCPA have a large range of Hobie Cat 16's which will help you learn the basics of rigging, launching, tacking, gybing, sailing upwind and sailing downwind.

Always included in our holidays

All necessary sailing equipment

Instruction or guiding

Accommodation

All meals

Friendly & social atmosphere

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The catamaran trips are open for complete beginners to advanced level sailors. Usually there are several groups running at the same time, so groups are formed according to ability and the course content is adapted.

Do I need to know how to tie any knots already?

Of course not, that is why you are on a sailing trip, to learn and improve on your sailing skills!

  • Understand the points of sailing; close hauled, close beam & broad reach and on a run
  • How a catamaran works; the physics of sailing, how to set up the Hobie cat etc
  • Understand how to recover a person overboard
  • Understand the dangers you might come across at sea and on the boat
  • Understand the basic sailing rules
  • Looking at weather forecasts- wind strength effects on sailing conditions
  • Learning about tides
  • Balancing the Hobie Cat
  • Steering
  • Sail Power
  • Sail ‘close hauled’ on a ‘close beam’ and ‘broad reach’ and on a ‘run’
  • Tack towards the wind (upwind sailing)
  • Gybe from a ‘broad reach’ to a ‘broad reach’
  • Stopping the boat at any given time
  • Can ‘right’ a capsized Hobie without assistance
  • Prepare for and takeup a tow from a powerboat
  • Beach landings​

There is a minimum "ideal" wind level for the boat too that is probably around 4-5 knots. Below 4-5 knots, you start having problems with the sails. If there is a lack of wind, UCPA will offer alternative activities such as sea kayaking, paddle boarding, cycling or hiking.

The max speed is nearly 24-knots and there are plenty of Hobie sailors who will agree and verify. Average speed for a hobie 16 is around 14knots, but obviously this is completely wind dependent so it is tricky to say!

UCPA will provide you with a lifejacket. Be prepared for protection from the sun, with a cap/hat, UV rash vest/long sleeved top, suncream and sunglasses. Flip flops are assumed to be the best footwear for a boat, however a waterproof/resistant shoe with good grip is actually much more suitable as they are less likely to come off whilst at sea. Something as simple as neoprene socks will work well as they will protect your feet from getting cut.

Sea friendly suncream- We want you to protect the sea, but we also want you to protect your skin without threatening the environment. The best option at the moment for eco-conscious sea lovers is to swap out those chemical sunscreens for ones with mineral ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that reflect the sun off your skin, without threatening the environment.​

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