Hobie Cats return to Hobie family

Bristol, RI (December 12, 2023) – Starting Line Sailing (SLS) and Hobie Cat Company II (Hobie) mutually agreed to the termination of the collaboration and license agreement entered into in November 2022. This agreement had previously appointed SLS the worldwide supplier for all Hobie Sailboats and Genuine Hobie Sailboat Parts and Accessories.

The manufacture, distribution, and sales of these products will return to Hobie, rejoining their extensive range of Kayaks, Pedalboards, SUPs, and other water sports recreation products.

“Hobie expresses its sincere appreciation to the Starting Line Sailing family of companies for their recent stewardship of Hobie Sailboats,” stated Steve Fields, the recently appointed VP – Hobie Sailboats.

“Looking forward, our plans include investment in new Hobie sailing products, reestablishing partnerships with the International Hobie Class Association (IHCA) and World Sailing (the governing body for the sport of sailing), and to execute multiple Hobie Sailing World Championships in the future when possible. With these plans now in motion, I’m excited about the future of Hobie Sailing.”

USA-based SLS will continue to focus on its core brands of Zim Sailing, West Coast Sailing, and Dwyer Mast & Rigging.

“It was a pleasure serving and supporting the Hobie community over the past year plus, and we are excited for Hobie Cat Company to have all of their brands underneath one roof providing the opportunity to advance the complete Hobie lifestyle to sailors around the world”, said George Yioulos, CEO of Starting Line Sailing.

“We have some major projects in the works that we are excited to make progress on, and we look forward to continuing to support dinghy and one-design sailors throughout North America.”