Entries Open for Mannering Park’s Big Boat Regatta – NSW H16 & H18 States

For the 2025/26 NSW Traveller Series, the NSW State Championships for the Hobie 16s & Hobie 18s Opens (inc. Masters, GMasters & GGMasters) will be held in conjunction with Mannering Park Amateur Sailing Club’s Big Boat Regatta. The dates of the regatta are locked in for 6-7, December ’25, and will also be inclusive of the Nacra, and F18 State Championships.

All NSWHCA members that are planning to compete on a H16 & H18 at Manno, please enter via the link below. Additionally, we ask that you pay the NSWCHA a fee of $40 per boat via the separate link below. This covers trophies, event merchandise etc.

Hobie 16 & Hobie 18 State Championships - $40 NSWHCA Payment Entry Form - Mannering Park Notice of Race Sailing Instructions

Please continue below for FAQ regarding the NSWHCA decision to split the State Championships into now three separate events.

MULTI SERIES FORMAT

The NSW Hobie Cat Association will again a split State Championships throughout the 2025 Championship Tour, and 2025/26 NSW Traveller Series. In running a split series, the NSWHCA wishes to encourage our Women & Youth members to develop their skills and sail in a competitive environment. We also recognise that many of our members own and race a number of different classes of Hobie Cat, with many H14 sailors now adventuring into the realm of the H14-Turbo.

At the suggestion of members a number of years ago, the NSWHCA decided to expand the the State Championships to allow Youth, Women and sailors of multiple classes to compete on any Class of Hobie Cat. The NSWHCA hope to both encourage Youth & Women to race on different Hobie classes, and to provide members who race on multiple classes the opportunity to compete in more than one State Championship level event.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IS THIS A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR ALL HOBIE CLASSES?

These States are for the Hobie 16 & Hobie 18 only. However, because the Big Boat Regatta is an OPEN regatta for all OTB catamarans , both classes in a single division and be scored on Yardstick as per Australian Sailing’s OTB Catamaran Yardstick.

And YES, this will be a NSW Traveller Series event, worth 100pts for both classes!

WHEN WILL OTHER HOBIE CLASSES HAVE THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS?

The State Championships for the H16 & H18 Cat-Rig, Women & Youth Divisions will be held around February 2026, whilst the H16 & H18 for next year are yet to be announced, but expected to take place around November/December of 2026. Any members who have questions, queries, concerns or suggestions around upcoming State Championships, please get in contact with the NSWHCA Committee.

WHY SPLIT THE FLEETS?

Many of the people that sail H16s & H18s, also sail H14s. Additionally, a lot of Women & Youth members are regularly crewing for others on double-handed boats, and don’t always get the chance (or have a boat) to skipper in a regatta for themselves. By providing a separate events for all these classes, it allows many of our members the chance to race in multiple State Championship level events on 14s, 16s, 18s and/or Women & Youth – with different skippers/crews or by themselves!

The NSWHCA wants to see ALL Hobie classes grow, and this is a great way to grow the participation for ALL classes, without affecting the participation in other fleets (i.e., members racing 14-Turbos, resulting in a lack of 16s). It is also a perfect opportunity for all the Hobie Family to get together for another weekend of sailing, and socialising.

CAN I COME IF I DON’T HAVE A H16 or H18?

Yes, of course, but your boat must be 16ft and above because it’s a ‘Big Boat Regatta’! This is a open catamaran regatta, with a Hobie twist! We want as many Hobie Cats as possible to enjoy the time on and off the water with the Hobie Family!

If you would like the opportunity to race a H16 or H18 for the first time, please get in touch with the NSWHCA Committee ASAP!