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Forum Index: DISCUSSION: Dock Talk: Hobie 14's in Vietnam

The Publisher ***** May 4, 2009, 12:08 PM Post #1 of 7 (4582 views) Shortcut Hobie 14's in Vietnam Log-In to Post/Reply From Bill Hardesty, Sr: My first time ever sailing was in 1968 at Da Nang, Vietnam (China Beach…we called it RED beach) on a Hobie 14. While in the USMC, when we had in-country R&R, they would pull us out of action for four days and give us anything we wanted - beer, food, beach, sailboats (and other things). There were about four Hobie 14s, but not knowing how to sail (being from Iowa), I just checked them out until I met a guy from California who said he could sail. So one day he and I checked out a boat and went sailing... DOWN WIND… heading for an Island off Vietnam. When we came about and sheeted in, the sail came down and we couldn’t get it back up. We gradually drifted out to sea for about three hours, using the sail as a cover against the 100+ degree sun. Eventually a 300+ foot Navy ship came by and picked us up. After all these years, I still wonder how the Hobies got to Vietnam in 1968 (or if anyone else went sailing on them). If somebody knows anything about this, please post it here.

leedemarest * May 5, 2009, 7:32 AM Post #2 of 7 (4498 views) Shortcut Re: [The Publisher] Hobie 14's in Vietnam [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply And in 1970, there was a lightning at Cam Ranh Bay and a Triton at Vung Tau! Have no idea how they got there, but saw them myself. Believe both were brought over by Naval officers.

Ken Bertino * May 5, 2009, 8:28 AM Post #3 of 7 (4488 views) Shortcut Re: [The Publisher] Hobie 14's in Vietnam [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply I haven’t thought about Vietnam (Phu Quac) in awhile; least of all sailing out of there. I sort of put back together a Lido 14 with some help and beach launched it. I just sailed it around the bay. It leaked, the sails were trashed, the centerboard rattled around… but it was sailing just like being at home. A little time away from where we were and what it was we were doing there. Every time the lines come back from the dock and I get underway, it is a very special feeling of freedom and peacefulness. I grew up feeling that, I felt it during my time in Vietnam, and it continues to be the best feeling in life.

hubbarrc * May 5, 2009, 9:06 AM Post #4 of 7 (4478 views) Shortcut Re: [The Publisher] Hobie 14's in Vietnam [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply I had a similar experience to Bill's while I was in Vietnam in 1968, though not quite as frightening. I was stationed at Marble Mountain Airbase about 2 mile south of China Beach. One day a friend and I were at the Special Services beach at the Airbase when we stopped to talk to a guy who was rigging a sailboat. It turned out he was from California like we were and he asked if we wanted to go sailing with him. We went and had a great time. A couple weeks later we were at the beach again and decided we go out on our own. We sail out away from the beach for a while but when we turn to head back we couldn't figure out how to do it. As we drifted toward less than safe areas south of Marble Mountain, we finally figured it out and made it back to the beach. Not knowing anything about sailboats at the time, I don't know what kind of boat we sailed , but thinking back, they were probably Lido 14's or something similar. For me that was the start of my addiction to sailing and I've been at it ever since. Bob Hubbard

obsession01 ** May 5, 2009, 6:41 PM Post #5 of 7 (4410 views) Shortcut Re: [hubbarrc] Hobie 14's in Vietnam [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply Same experience. While in the USMC, I was serving with the air wing aboard an LPH, helicopter carrier. We were in Subic Bay, Philipines. I was at the beach on base and saw several people sailing. I inquired, took a quick lesson and then sailed a Lido 14 on my own. I was hooked. After returning home, and while going to college I purchased a new Ranger 23. Currently I own 2 70 footers and run a day sail charter business out of Seattle, 25th year and still love it.

The Publisher ***** May 6, 2009, 1:00 PM Post #6 of 7 (4347 views) Shortcut Re: [The Publisher] Hobie 14's in Vietnam [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply From Scuttlebutt 2839: From Pat Bradley: (re, boating during Vietnam war) There were Lightnings sailing in Danang Harbor in the spring of 1969, but we were at anchor and I couldn’t tell where they were sailing from, so never got to take one out. There also was a Lightning at Cua Viet up by the DMZ, but most of the parts were missing. There were some surfboards under it and a pretty good left break at the river entrance which we surfed once. That beach was “safe to surf.” You can tell that to Robert Duval.

The Publisher ***** May 12, 2009, 5:04 AM Post #7 of 7 (4182 views) Shortcut Re: [The Publisher] Hobie 14's in Vietnam [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply From Scuttlebutt 2840: * From Ken Guyer: I had forgotten about the Lightning up at Cua Viet (Pat Bradly, 'Butt 2839). I was transferred up to Cua Viet River Patrol in late 1968. Surfing the river mouth was our in country R&R and the boards were under the canvass covered hull of the Lightning. I remember one of the long time river rats saying they used to sail it on the water in front of the supply ramp. My response, "what is sailing?" Most likely the first time I ever heard about the sport I have now enjoyed for more than 35 years! * From Don Meserole: It was Jan. 1966 the USS Enterprise arrived in the Philippines Subic Bay after 65 days at sea off the coast of Viet Namn Yankee Station Gulf of Tonkin. There directly in front of the bow of the Enterprise was the Rec pier with a fleet of 10 or so Lido 14's. What is a sailor to do after 65 days at sea? A couple of friends, get a case of beer and go sailing all over Subic Bay of course! My squadron returned the next two years onboard the Kitty Hawk, however almost half of Subic was "Restricted/Off limits" When I asked the Philippino manager why, he said some boats had come in with bullet holes in the sails ... and something about Huks with sniper rifles up in the hills using them for target practice. Probably had 30-40 days of sailing on Subic Bay 1966-68.

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