Catamarans sailing Lake Lopez

Do you remember back in the late 80’s and early 90’s when Catamaran sail boats with brightly colored sails lined the beaches all over California? There are still a few beaches today, mostly in Southern California that you may see these Cats perched on the beaches. Here on the Central Coast of California you can now spot those brilliantly colored sails on a Saturday or Sunday at Avila and Port San Luis beaches or at beautiful Lopez Lake.

Catamaran sailing is back! It is thriving through the leadership of Scott Erwin, Commodore of Hobie Cat Fleet 259. Scott Erwin has a passion for sailing and a love to teach others how to sail. Just one look at Scott’s Atascadero backyard and you’ll see this passion of these small, double hulled sailboats. He has at least ten Catamarans ready to be towed to the beach or lake for a day of fun in the sun. A few of these boats are available for anyone to borrow and use.

Hobie Fleet 259 has been rejuvenated from the 80’s and now has monthly fun sails at either Avila’s Port San Luis or Lopez Lake in Arroyo Grande. Sailors meet in the mid morning around 10 am, set up their boats and head off for a few hours of sailing. After most fun sails, members spend time together hanging out, talking sailing or head off to a local restaurant for happy hour.

If you are looking for a great local outing, Hobie Cat sailing is a guaranteed fun time! On some fun sails a Lopez Lake, sailors camp out for the weekend to enjoy good ole’ nature at it’s finest which is fun and safe for the whole family. Scott, has also been known to host fleet dinners and BBQ socials at his home in Atascadero. If you have children, they are always welcome to all Hobie Fleet 259 events as Scott and Kathy Erwin have a houseful of children themselves.

Hobie Fleet 259 holds sailing clinics to teach new sailors how to rig and tune a boat, and how to skipper and crew for the best performance on the water. 

In addition to monthly fun sails, members of the fleet also participate in local regattas put on by the San Luis Yacht Club at Port San Luis and Lopez Lake and regional regattas. Hobie Fleet 259 is part of a larger division of Hobie Cat sailors, Division 3, representing Northern California. Our local members have raced in numerous regattas in Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, The San Francisco Bay Area, Woodward Reservoir, Huntington Lake, and Lake Arrowhead. In the Fall of 2012, a few Hobie Fleet 259 sailors traveled to Lake Mohave near Las Vegas, Nevada to compete in the Hobie 18 class national championships. There were about 35 boats at the championships that represented people from across the United States and Canada.

This coming April, Hobie Fleet 259 is hosting a regatta right here on the Central Coast! The regatta will draw sailors from across California, Nevada, and Arizona. The last year this regatta was held was in 1989, it was held over the 4^th of July weekend had over 200 boats participating. This event is open to the public for viewing, so come on out to find out what Hobie Cat sailing is all about at Lopez Lake on April 20^th & 21^st  at Lopez Lake in Arroyo Grande.

If you are interested in learning how to sail or volunteering at our regatta at Lopez Lake in April, contact Hobie Fleet 259 by email at hobiefleet259@gmail.com. Scott Erwin: (805) 610 – 7812.

Website: www.hobiefleet259.com

Hobie Cat Fleet 259 Upcoming Events:

April 20^th – 21^st – Hobie Days Regatta at Lopez Lake

San Luis Yacht Club Monthly Races:

April 6^th & 7^th – Lopez Lake

May 6^th – Avila Beach

June 3^rd – Avila Beach

July 1^st & 22^nd – Avila Beach

August 5^th – Avila Beach

September 9^th – Avila Beach

October 7^th – Avila Beach