Hobie Alter

Hobart 'Hobie' Alter (1933-2014) was an American inventor and entrepreneur who revolutionized small boat sailing with his Hobie Cat catamarans. Starting as a surfboard maker in California, Alter created the Hobie 14 catamaran in 1968, which became the world's most popular small catamaran. His innovative designs made catamaran sailing accessible to ordinary sailors, with boats that were fast, fun, and relatively easy to sail. The Hobie Cat's beach-launchable design and exciting sailing characteristics introduced millions to the joys of catamaran sailing. Alter's influence on recreational sailing was profound, creating an entirely new category of sailing that emphasized fun and accessibility.