In February during the 17th Philippine Hobie Challenge the majority of the 24 boats involved in the Challenge were lost at sea when a cargo boat carrying them lost her propeller and drifted off towards Vietnam in the South China Sea. Some hulls and a mixture of parts being carried on another cargo boat were safe along with all the participants. The broken-down cargo boats crew were saved by a passing freighter.
Rather than give up the Hobie Sailors decided to rejuvenate the fleet and continue with the Challenge in 2018. PHINSAF (The Philippine Inter Island Sailing Federation) which organizes the Hobie Challenge and keelboat/ocean multihull events took the lead and along the Rayomarine the local Hobie dealer arranged to buy 15 new boats and a large box of parts to rebuild the fleet.
The new boats were delivered on 27 November to Taal Lake Yacht Club (the home of the Hobie Fleet) Immediately the team set about building the boats.
The formal relaunch of the fleet and a one day sailing event will take place at Taal Lake Yacht Club on Sunday 10 December. The 18th Philippine Hobie Challenge will take place around the islands of Coron and Busuanga from 11 to 17 February 2018.
More information on PHINSAF Facebook Page and PHINSAF Official Website
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