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Frequently Asked Questions |
FAQ's
How do I get one?How much does a Hoot cost?
How much is shipping?
Do you charge sales tax?
Can you ship the boat overseas?
What are the boat specs?
What is the optimal crew weight for a Hoot?
Do I need a special roof rack to carry it on my car?
Where are rigging instructions?
When will you begin shipping boats?
If I pre-order a Hoot, how will I know when it ships?
If I pre-order a Hoot and decide I don't want one after all, will you refund my deposit?
How many Hoots will be produced?
What else will be required to get a boat on the water?
Will there be racing sails available?
Will any options be sold?
How fast is a Hoot?
When will Class Rules be available?
Will it come with a cooler for my beer?
How do I get one?
With a $1,000 deposit, you can pre-order a Hoot online
How much does a Hoot cost?
The price for a Hoot with a deposit today is $6,900. When we start shipping Hoots, the price will likely be closer to $7,500. This price includes all the components you’ll need to get the boat out on the water — including tie-down straps and the wheels. But does not include either sales tax or shipping.
How much is shipping?
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, you are welcome to come pick up your Hoot sailboat from our shop in Richmond, CA. Shipping costs depend on how far you are from our shop. The total shipping time is less than a week.
Do you charge sales tax?
Sales tax is 8.75% for boats sold to customers within the state of California.
Can you ship the boat overseas?
We’re really excited about making it possible for people all over the world who love sailing to get out in Hoots. Please email us at info@GoHoot.com to inquire about having a Hoot shipped overseas. Shipping costs will be quoted on an individual request basis depending on the desired destination.
What are the boat specs?
Hoot Specs
- LOA: 14 feet
- Maximum Beam: 8' 4"
- Waterline Beam: 31.5"
- S.A.: 10 square meters
- Weight: 50 lbs hull only, 140 lbs fully rigged
Hoot Features
- Strict One Design
- Vacuum bagged, cored composite hull, deck and wings
- Composite foils
- Two piece carbon mast
- Monofilm sail with camber-induced, full length carbon battens
- 3mm EVA foam nonskid for incredibly solid footing
- 12:1 downhaul
- 12:1 vang
- Ratcheting mainsheet block
What is the optimal crew weight for a Hoot?
Chris (the designer) weighs in at about 200 lbs. Doug (the guy in most
of the photos) is 180 lbs., and Carla (the petite brunette) only admits
to 118 lbs. in a wetsuit. We sail in the SF Bay in pretty good winds.
The boat can handle all of us. In lighter air, we've watched the boat
just get up and go with Carla sailing. So we're not really sure what would
be ideal. The rig has huge range so lighter people will be able to hang
on in higher wind, but we haven't had enough experience racing Hoots against
each other to see whether heavier or lighter people win out.
The boats are very sensitive to skill. Keeping the boat flat and the rig hooked up pay enormous dividends.
Do I need a special roof rack to carry it on my car?
No special rack required. The wings come off the hull and nest nicely on the hull once it is on your racks. We recommend placing a pad (we use a foam wrap) between the roof rack and the hull to protect the boat. Be sure to use a bow line to secure the bow to the front of the car. We strongly advise against driving the car with the wings attached!
Where are rigging instructions?
For Hoot rigging instructions, see Rigging Tips
When will you begin shipping boats?
We were hoping to begin shipping Hoots by April 2006, however we're still testing the Hoot for durability, and won't begin shipping until we're confident that we've got it right. The best place to get the most up to date information about when we'll begin shipping is the news section of the site. Or, if you want to hear from us directly, send us your contact information by completing the form on our Contact page.
If I pre-order a Hoot, how will I know when it ships?
We will send you an e-mail. When the boat is ready to ship, we will let you know and we will require full payment at that time.
If I pre-order a Hoot and decide I don't want one after all, will you refund my deposit?
If you change your mind after pre-ordering a Hoot any time before your order ships, we will simply refund your full deposit.
How many Hoots will be produced?
We’re just ramping up our manufacturing capacity. Part of the idea behind getting deposits is to enable us to gauge interest and figure out how quickly we need to ramp up. We have an existing shop that makes other boats, and we are expanding to handle Hoot manufacturing.
What else will be required to get a boat on the water?
It will take about an hour of assembly before you sail for the first time. The wings are shipped with the wing tubes detached so as to better fit in the box. They will need to be bolted on (total of sixteen bolts) and then some rigging like attaching the tiller extension and running the lines through the vang, downhaul and mainsheet will be needed.
Will there be racing sails available?
No. One design. One sail.
Will any options be sold?
The Hoot is strict one-design. We will not add any options that will affect the speed / raceability of the boat. Over time we will add boat covers, foil covers and an adjustable hiking stick. We may, eventually, offer Hoots in different colors.
How fast is a Hoot?
Very — but it really depends on the sailor. We have seen other people go down in flames for claiming top speeds in excess of 20 knots, so we’re not making that claim. It’s a rough crowd out there.
When will Class Rules be available?
We’re working on them and will post them on the site as soon as possible. In the meantime, just don’t do anything to your boat that changes how it came from the factory.
Will it come with a cooler for my beer?
Nope. If that’s what you’re after, the Hoot probably isn’t for you.