Fleet 28, the oldest Hobie fleet in New England,
was originated by Multihull Associates in February of 1970 at the Wessagussett
Yacht Club in Weymouth, Massachusetts. The club was originally known as
the "Beantown Hobie Cats!" Although the early years 1970 and 1971 saw little
activity, 1972 brought dramatic change. Joe Goodhue out in Leominster,
Massachusetts, became active as a Hobie dealer, and with the combined efforts
of Bob Brayton and John Nimphius, the fleet gathered momentum and has been
growing ever since.
An interest in Hobie Cat racing was the original moving
force behind the creation of Fleet 28 and to this day still plays a central,
though not so dominant, role. Hobie Cat Regattas have proven to be an exceedingly
popular form of weekend entertainment for participants and spectators alike.
The Hobie racing, complete with its thrills of victory and agonies of defeat,
the hull flying contests, the beer and socializing, meeting new friends,
re-meeting old friends, and the ever present bathing beauties, all add
a twist of lime to the Hobie Way of life. Participation in Hobie regattas
has been nothing short of phenomenal, with many events drawing well over
100 boats. No other class of sailboat can regularly put that many boats
on the water at one time. Fleet 28, a leader in bringing top quality competition
to New England, has been the host for many major regattas, including the
1976 Hobie 16 National Championships on Cape Cod, several Northeastern
Championships, and the 1980 and 1981 Divisional Championships on Buzzards
Bay at Mattapoisett. 1983 looks to be another active year with a major
points regatta in Chatham and the Division Championships once again in
the premier sailing area in New England - Buzzards Bay, Mattapoisett, Massachusetts.
Way back in the early days, when Hobies came in basically
one color (white), before "Teequilia" sails, before Carumbas and black
anodized aluminum, before Lowenbrau, even before the Hobie l8, and almost
before the Hobie 16, an odd lot group of individuals would get together
on occasional weekends to enjoy some Hobie sailing. Naturally, they took
to racing their speedy little cats around real and imagined courses. Hobie
news was passed along strictly by word of mouth. Race committee? What was
that? Finding out about the next regatta was tricky business in those days
and many sailors either never knew or were led astray by the wiser, more
successful crews. Sometime around 1973, in a back room at a Holiday Inn,
a fleet fall meeting with around 12 people in attendance was held and an
agreement was reached whereby John and Diane Nimphius would gather information
on Hobie regattas and Russ and Jay Eckblom would put this information into
print. With the help of a trusty typewriter, the enterprising Russ and
Jay toiled endlessly and created what the people at the Hobie factory out
in California have labeled "one of the best if not the best newsletter
that we receive." This newsletter, more commonly and hereinafter referred
to as 'Go Bananas,' is the most significant, unifying factor behind Fleet
28's success. The publication got its name "Go Bananas" because those .,
new" funny shaped catamarans that came to New England looked like bananas
and at that time it seemed like a good name. This publication touches every
Hobie sailor in New England. It contains a complete schedule of all major
regattas throughout the six state area, including all Fleet 28 events.
There are tips on how to take care of your Hobie, the latest race results,
photographs of fleet members in action, the latest gossip, and much more.
"Go Bananas" is the information media that binds Fleet 28 together.
Also at that meeting in 1973, Fleet 28 wanted an identity
so it adopted its official name "North Atlantic Hobie Cat Fleet 28." At
that time, it was the only fleet in the North Atlantic Ocean and it sounded
impressive. That is probably why it is now looked at as the parent fleet
of all the other smaller fleets around and why its membership reflects
so many other dual Hobie fleet members.
As Hobie sales skyrocketed so did the membership of Fleet
28. The novice sailor, someone who has never sailed before or someone who
is new to Hobie sailing, comprises by far the most numerous contingent
of Fleet 28. The old pros soon realized that a lot of these newer sailors
needed help in the form of friendly advice, and Fleet 28 took on a new
dimension. From the complete novice who has never seen a Hobie to an "A
Fleet" sailor, Fleet 28 has developed a 'Learn to Sail' program tailored
to meet your every need. Before the regatta season even begins, classroom
sessions are underway and Fleet 28 hosts a 'Learn to Sail' weekend on the
peaceful shores and calm waters of a carefully selected site. No other
Fleet in New England offers such a comprehensive 'Learn to Sail' program.
Additionally, all Fleet 28 sponsored regattas have a "C Fleet" complete
with a beginners' skipper's meeting to introduce the novice sailor to Hobie
Cat racing. All these programs, along with all other Fleet 28 events, are
available at a reduced price to our members. These discounts and the emphasis
on 'Learn to Sail' distinguishes Fleet 28 from all others.
And there's more. Fleet 28 members come from all walks
of life - doctors, lawyers, professional water rats - all tied together
by a zest for life not found in the land lubbing populace at large. These
people never rest. Between races many of them may be found pirouetting
about on their wind surfers. And in the "off" season - there is no
such thing in Fleet 28 - the snowfields up North are host to our
winter frolic. Although the ski weekends, originating in 1979, have become
the mainstay of our "off" season activities, some Fleet 28 members can
be found aboard chartered 50 foot yachts cruising the exotic waters of
the British Virgin Islands.
From its humble beginnings over a decade ago, Fleet 28
has grown to become, with a 1982 membership numbering more than 150 sailors,
the 3rd largest Hobie Fleet in the world. We are the Fleet that Hobie sailors
join to experience the wide range of activities only such a large fleet
can sponsor and to, through our "Go Bananas," keep abreast of the latest
developments in the local Hobie world. There are many smaller spin-off
fleets, each based in its own particular area, yet many of their members
are also members of Fleet 28. We have always been an all New England fleet
with membership from all six states. Fleet 28, powerhouse of the Northeast,
counts among its ranks some of the finest sailors in New England, from
past Divisional Champions to Nationally prominent competitors. There are
Fleet 28 members who are very fast. There are non-fleet sailors who, not
knowing any better, think they are fast. After all, they most likely have
never seen anything but monohulls, sea gulls, and other non-fleet sailors.
Then one day a Fleet 28 sailor shows up and blows them away. What a shame.
To own such a fast boat yet go so slowly. Join Fleet 28. Get a step ahead
of the competition and stay there.
Share the Wind!