Willing to teach a new H16 owner in South Jersey?

Hi, I am picking up a Hobie 16 this weekend. My entire sailing experience is on a Dayton Marine Catyak last Saturday in >15 kts (basically a catamaran sunfish, 9' long, about 80lbs, will pitchpole with very little wind). This was not intentional, weather just got bad on my way home. I went out again Sunday and encountered the same thing, this time making it home fine tacking, but my sail was shredded. (Catyak is not for high windspeeds...) I spend quite a while learning sailing terms and theory, but never knew what it was about till a week ago. I got the bug I suppose, but am not confident on rigging and running an H16.

Is there anyone out there who would be willing to show me the ropes? I live on the Delaware river, and would be primarily a river sailor, but it is not conducive to a new sailor (very dangerous waters for a novice with tidal currents, flotsam, rapid weather/wind changes, etc.)

Thanks for looking!

Although I'm happy to see your enthusiasm and drive, I'm moreover concerned you're purchasing a boat too early in the process. Seems to me like your sailing experience isn't much and so this leads me to think you might be purchasing the wrong (or right) type of boat for your needs. Although a hobie 16 is among one of the better boats to learn on, I'm just concerned you're purchasing too soon.

If you can back out of the deal you seem to have already made, and then go join a local sailing club of some sort, I would advise doing that. If not, at least ask this forum some more advice on the condition of your boat before making the official purchase. Lots of guys around here know the boat inside and out and can find problems just looking at a few simple pictures. You might be getting ripped off or purchasing a dilapidated burden from somebody's backyard instead of a fun-loving boat of your dreams.

Sorry to burst your bubble but...

*poke*
*pop*

Not from Jersey, but I don't see any reason you shouldn't be able to get a boat. Do your research, check for the known issues (soft spots on the deck, etc). I also think you are wise to get someone that knows what they're doing to take you out until you're comfortable sailing it. If you can, a lesson at a club or something on another boat would be great too. But living on the water myself, having my own boat in the back yard, there's nothing better. Sounds like you have a similar opportunity. That's my 2 cents.

_________________
2014 T2
past: 1974 H14

I suggest you contact Hobie Division 11 as there may be someone nearby who can help you out. Division 11 has a yahoo group that, if you're a member, you can send out an email to everyone in the group which may get you more of a response than you'll get from this forum. You can also bring your boat out to one of the regattas in New Jersey and you'll probably have at least a half dozen folks willing to help you out. I'd offer to give you a hand myself, but I'm on the northern coast, so not exactly close to the Delaware river.

sm

I live north of Philly and I sail my Hobie 16 off the Jersey shore in Margate. Always looking for people to sail with. Private Message me and we'll work something out.

Did you get the boat? I would recommend trying to find something a little more recent but a Hobie 16 is a Hobie 16.

Where you at on the Delaware?