HH
Thirty
years ago, Don Ayres took me for a ride on his 5o5 in San Francisco. I
was hooked.
Tell
us about the different crews you sailed with in 5o5's and how those crews
changed your sailing?
HH
I have been very fortunate to sail with some legendary crews including
Jay Glaser, Steve Rosenberg, Cam Lewis, Mike Martin and Peter Alarie.
These guys made me the sailor that I am, without them I would be nowhere.
Would you be give the lazy slobs out there (like us) a synopsis of the
most significant events and rule changes in the 5o5 class and you reaction
on what their effect was on the class?
HH:
The only significant change in 30 years was 3 years ago. The class made
the spinnaker 1 meter bigger on the luff. So now the crew is on the wire
downwind in 9 knots rather than 12 knots. It made the boat even more fun.
If
someone with sailing experience was considering a choice between 5o5,
49er and I14 - what factors would you suggest this person to consider?
Let's assume that this choice maker wants to race actively in North America
and occasionally ship the boat overseas.
HH
49er is great for an Olympic campaign. 5o5 is perfect to blend fun, competitive,
high performance sailing with work, family and other interests. I-14 is
for experimentation.
What
is your life occupied with nowadays?
HH
Surfing,
sailing, skiing/snowboarding, work and my wife, Julie.
On the technical level from the perspective of a boatbuilder, is 505 a
longer lasting boat than 49er and I14 and what specifically makes the
difference between these boats?
HH:
The 505 is the longest lasting by far. The 5o5 hull shape is controlled
and they are built out of carbon/nomex/epoxy so they last forever.
What
were your first impressions when sailing on the catamaran Playstation?
What were the first surprises about the way the boat sailed? What did
you do on the boat?
HH
It
goes similar speeds and angles as our 18' skiff, but....it is 125' long
and the loads on everything are absolutely frightening. I drove. It was
a real adrenalin rush going 30+ knots with 12,000 square feet of sail
up and knowing that if you got caught high and flipped, you'd probably
kill most of the guys on deck. When I was not driving, I was most useful
on the grinders since I had no clue how to do any of the boat handling
maneuvers.
Little Americas Cup to you - a C-Class event or a Seacliff event?
HH
Pretty
neat. And good to have guys out there creating and pushing these designs
to the limits.
Were do you see your speed advantages when sailing the A2 A-Class catamaran
compared to other boats? What is your view on adding a spinnaker to the
boat?
HH
I am just learning how to sail the A-cat, so I don't have any speed advantage
yet. I am really lucky Pete Melvin is always eager to go train/punish
me. I see why he won the worlds twice, he is really good. Funny thing
is that Pease Glaser is just as good as Pete in light air, and she never
trains. No need to complicate the boat with a spinnaker. At only 165 lbs
with a 30' tall mast, a-cats are really fun.
If you had to make a choice - 5o5 or A-Class Worlds? Why?
HH:
5o5 for sure. I am not good enough in the a-cat yet. I will sail a Worlds
when I can be competitive.
Do
you have any plans for more 18 foot skiff racing?
HH
Absolutely.
Mike Martin, Trent Barnabas and I are training in Sydney Thanksgiving
week. Then our usual program each year, the worlds (J.J. Giltinan trophy)
in Sydney, the Europeans and the San Francisco international event.
How
do you keep it straight between these various small and complicated boats?
Do you keep regular notes of your racing, tuning guides?
HH:
Yes, I am very detailed. I have all types of lists: to do lists, to buy
list, packing list, tool list, regatta/racing routine, tuning numbers
and goals. All these lists are fluid, I am constantly trying to improve,
simplify and shorten them as much as possible.
Who is more fired up on the wire in a heated race - Cam Lewis or Mike
Martin?
HH
Neither. They are both very relaxed on the water.
Is
there a 5o5 builder today who "owns" the class? Who is your
favorite builder for this boat today?
HH
Rondar,
in the UK, builds the most boats. Larry Tuttle (Waterrat) in Santa Cruz
builds the best boats.
Do
you have a sponsor supporting your team in the 18-footer? What kind of
boat do you race, what is the boat's history? Are you trying anything
new technology-wise on the boat this year?
HH
Philippe
Kahn, Pegasus Racing, is our primary sponsor. Our product Sponsors are;
Harken, Kaenon, RBS battens and McLube.
How would you describe Pete Melvin's sail racing
style in two words or less?
HH
Talented and brilliant.
