History of Hobie
Since 1950, Hobie Cat Company has been in
the business of shaping a unique lifestyle based around fun, water, and quality products. From our headquarters in Oceanside, California, we manufacture, distribute, and market an impressive collection of watercraft worldwide. These include an ever-expanding line of recreational and racing sailboats, pedal-driven and paddle sit-on-top kayaks, fishing boats, and authorized parts and accessories.

In 1950, Hobart "Hobie" Alter founded his company
to bring together his two loves, wood shop and water.After a few years Hobie and fellow surfer Gordon Clark began experiments making surfboards out of foam and fiberglass. These surfboards were lighter, faster, and more responsive than anything else in the water. During the 1960s, while the Beach Boys were making records, Hobie's surf team riders were setting them.

In 1967, Hobie designed the Hobie
14 catamaran and revolutionized the sailing world. Hobie wanted to make a boat that could easily be launched into the surf from the beach, sailed, and brought back throughthe surf. It was this 14-foot fiberglass catamaran that single-handedly changed the course of
sailing. In 1969 Hobie released, or rather unleashed, the Hobie 16, the most popular catamaran ever. It is one of the largest competitive sailboat classes in the world. Demand skyrocketed, production cranked up, and Hobie became an icon in the field of watersports. There are well over 100,000 Hobie Cats around the world, many as part of fleets and regattas, and others for pure fun and enjoyment.

Hobie's inspiration continues with the current line of technically advanced sailboats, kayaks, and unique
fishing watercraft.