Pondering a Hobie 16: Two practical ownership questions

Forgive my ignorance,

I've been thinking for a long time about buying a sailboat, and I'm finally in a place to make that happen this year . So far I'm heavily favoring the idea of a used Hobie 16, but I'm not sure how viable it will be for me.

My two questions are:

Can I move the trailer & boat by hand?: Being that I have a very narrow/long driveway (9 foot wide at the fence gate). Is the hobie 16 + trailer (~400-500lbs from my math) able to be manhandled by hand solo? I'm not sure I trust myself to back that sucker into my garage by car (especially past the fence).

Good for Solo sailing?: I'll primarily be sailing solo (at least for now), but I'd like room for a guest (maybe 2) from time to time. Is the Hobie 16 good for a solo sailer? Are there ways to handle both sails solo or would I be main sail only when going solo?

Any other advice would be much appreciated,
Thanks.

For moving the boat and trailer by hand, yes, it can be done as long as the ground is fairly flat. I do it all the time. If you're a man of average size and strength, it shouldn't be too tough. If necessary, you can install a third wheel on the tongue. You can also position the boat on the trailer to make the tongue weight manageable (or move the axle). Aluminum trailers are also considerably lighter than steel.

As far as single-handing a 16, yes, it can also be done for sure. Just be picky on the days you go out. Start out in light wind. It shouldn't be too tough to run both sails, thats what cleats are for. If you're worried about being able to right the boat, invest in a righting bag, shroud extenders, or a righting pole.

sm

I move my trailer around by hand all the time as well but this is always and option, http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?itemnumber=37510&Submit=Go this is a cheep dolly and would be perfect for a hobie. Im thinking about getting one so i can roll it on the beach because they dont allow cars on all the beaches i go to. Like it was said earlier you can sail a 16 by yourself but I would only use one sail until you got comfortable. Start out with just the jib then move to just the main. Also its all about when you go.

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Hayden 1988 national H16

Solo sailing of an H-16 is no problem depending on where you sail. I have been sailing my boat solo for 24 years in lakes but never in the ocean. It is difficult going out through the surf alone and dangerous if you capsize. I also don't like sailing on lakes solo when there are no other boats around.

You would be better off starting using both sails, just start on days with light wind and if the wind picks up, enlist a crew. There is usually someone around who would like to sail. Be aware that sailing an H-16 is addictive.

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Howard

I would go with srm's idea of a third wheel on the tongue, preferably an extendable wheel. The less excess you have to deal with the better, unless you have a specific need. The boat is really easy to move.

As far as sailing solo goes, it depends on what you're use to. I learned to sail in the ocean with both sails. Yes, I use to pray for light winds but now, I won't even go out unless it's 8 to 10 mph. I use to capsize (and right the boat, of course) so much that the lifeguards stopped calling for "vessel assistance" to assist me. I now train the beach lifeguards annually on "catamaran capsize and rescue." The idea is to be prepared for the unexpected, or in the case of sailing, the expected. If you sail long enough, you WILL capsize, you WILL get caught in windless conditions, you WILL have mishaps on the water. Make sure you have an adequate solo righting system, a VHF radio and a GPS which will enable you to give your co-ordinance to the powers that be should you run into trouble. Also, make sure they (the radio & GPS) are on your persons. They won't do you any good if they're on your boat and you get separated from it. I use a fanny-pack. Necessary tools and spare parts are always good to have. I don't mean extra rudders or anything. I'm talking shackles and pins, a good pair of cable cutters, e.t.c. It's always good to have a sound boat (good standing rigging, e.t.c.). This will minimize most repairs required while sailing. Check your boat twice before taking it out. Any adjustments will be a lot easier to make on land than they will to make on water. Know that everything is going to take time to get use to. I've created a lot of extras on my boat. Some are over-kill, I know, but they make it easier for me to sail my boat solo. It's O.K. for sailing to be work but it mustn't be a job. Oh, and don't forget the PFD. Hey, I've done it myself and capsized the boat attempting a jibe to turn around and go back and get it. Fifty yards from land...embarrassing.

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Happy Sailing,

David

This is the second time I've seen someone recommend this in the past few days. I'm wondering if you've actually ever sailed the boat under jib alone, because I think if you did, you would find that its not a good idea. The only time I would do this is if you're in a survival condition and only need to sail downwind. The balance of the boat will be way off. You'll probably have insufficient jib halyard tension and the boat will not want to go upwind or be able to tack- you will have a ton of lee helm. Sailing under jib alone is not a good idea for someone trying to learn- it will not give you an accurate representation of how the boat is supposed to handle.

Your best bet is to sail with the boat fully rigged, but just be very picky about the days you go sailing until you get sufficient experience. If you want to sail with only one sail, sail with the main.

sm

it worked fine forr me......upwind and down. Thats how i learned but who knows pick something that works for you

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Hayden 1988 national H16

While negotiating the driveway and sailing by ones self is fairly straightforward, moving it about a beach and in and out of the water can be a single handed challenge. Maybe a 14 is a better choice and you might turbo it later.

Thank you all for the advice. I'm more & more convinced w/every one I read

Now I just gotta find one in SE Michigan & (the harder part) convince myself to part w/the dough

@hbauguess123 That dolly looks perfect, and a nice price to boot.

@srm, good call on the righting bag, I grew up on a 12 foot Zuma, and wasn't as worried as I guess I should be about righting a cat solo.

@DavidBell47, that will totally be me capsizing every 2 min . I'll start off on a small-ish inland lake further from home to get my bearings but plan on using it mostly on Lake St Clair here in the Detroit area (~25 min from home), not one of the great lakes but a pretty good sized body of water none the less.

I was hesitant to comment on this not wanting to pee someone off, but I agree, main only if you use one sail. The main is structural, the 16 does not have a huge jib but I think with jib only you will load the mast too much especially down wind, the main carries a lot of load. Also with main only ,roll up your jib ,keep it under the front straps, then if the wind dies a little go to a beach and raise the jib. Also normally I tell folks new to Hobie sailing to raise the main first, then the jib, especially if it blowing hard.

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Bodhisatfa

Now Little Wing, you should know by now that you're gonna pee somebody off no matter what you say.



Great point, ChrisD. That CAN be a challenge but it IS do-able. What I've learned is "balance" is the key. Most H16 sailors anchor their beach wheels at the shrouds because that's the only place to anchor them even though the actually balancing point is 2 1/2 feet aft the shrouds. This causes a lot of the energy used in moving the boat to be spent keeping the bows down. I spent an extra $100 (well worth it) on cradles so I could keep the boat perfectly balanced. It can rest with the bows tilted up....or down. If you notice in the pic below, most of the boats here are tilted back. Also notice the location of the beach wheels on my boat (Sciatica) as compared to the location of the shrouds. I can pull down the stern or lift the bow with one finger. This makes moving the boat a LOT easier.



If you live in Detroit, I expect you will eventually run across Matt Bounds. You couldn't be in a better place, as he is the guru of sailing. Although we've never met (my loss), a lot of the things I've learned, I've learned from him. You'll be in good hands.

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Happy Sailing,

David

One word for the newbie trying to sail under jib alone; Frustration.

Learn to sail with the main only if you really feel like sailing with one sail. Do a little research on roll tacking and backing down so you have an idea on what a good tack looks like and how to get out of irons. You'll need to know how to back down if you're sailing without the jib. But if you can tack a 16 in moderate air without a jib you can tack it anytime with one. Work on a routine for tacking and gibing and do it over and over and over and over... Just like anything else start out slow (light air) until you gain confidence. You'll be surprised how easy it is.

Oh yea, if you get a chance to meet Matt Bounds don't pass it up. He'll be more than happy to talk to you.

JB
H16 107679

I does seem that a lot of folks here are to thin skinned

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Bodhisatfa

I'm not ha ha and its my post that got people worked up. Different people have different veiws, that's the way the world works so it's all good. I'm seventeen and I've figured that out before a lot of people. Ha

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Hayden 1988 national H16

How do you figure it was your post? I thought it belonged to Rupethereitis. Just like a 17 year old whipper-snapper. Always tryin to take credit where it isn't due. Well, I guess I shouldn't complain. When I was 17, I thought I knew everything too.

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Happy Sailing,

David