Hobie 16 for my family to play on

I have been looking for a boat to take my family sailing (me, my wife and 3 kids (8, 9, and 11)). I would also be teaching my kids how to sail.

I have a friend who is selling a Hobie 16 for a good price.

Would the 16 be a good buy or should I look for something bigger, 18'+? Or even a larger single hull?

Thanks for the input.

A h16 is way too small for 5 people. You need a Getaway or similar boat.

5 people on pretty much any beach cat will be very crowded even though it is possible on some, it probably won't be much fun. Possible exceptions would be a 21 or 18 with wings and the getaway as mentioned above. Unless everybody is willing to take turns going out with you I would stay away from the 16.

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1990 "Formula 1" H16 (# 009)

That's kind of what I was thinking.

Just trying to find things to do WITH my family, not just by myself or with only one child.

As a good friend said, "There's always another sailboat out there to buy".

I just need to find the right one.

Sounds like a monohull would be the ticket for you with 5 folks. I have had four adults on my H16 numerous times, but it turns it into a slug, unless the wind is blowing pretty good and even then it does not sail well. Check out sailingtexas.com There are some great trailerable boats that show up almost every day from all parts of the country, many for the price of a good high quality H16 and in ready to sail shape. Then the kids could play in the cockpit or down below and crash in the V-berth when tired. There are also some smaller monohulls that are all cockpit that could hold 6 adults. Its great that you want to do things with the family. Our daughter went everywhere and did everything my wife and I did for fun, vacations etc. I get angry with some of our family members always taking trips and leaving the kids with grandma. Shame on them, kudos to you.

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'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

Not a Hobie product, also no longer in production, but a Stiletto 27 would do the trick too.

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Marc...
1978 Hobie 16 Keoke, sail# 36 84

Find yourself a Seawind 24.

I have one as well as my Hobies and it sure keeps wife happy like a Hobie can't!

An oldie but a goodie and they were sold in the States.

Hobie 21 Sport Cruiser

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Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

Interstate - I think it's difficult to advise you without knowing a lot more about you and your interests: where do you live; where do you wish to sail; combined weight of you and your family; your budget; are you a speed freak or are you satisfied sailing slow.....With a small catamaran you can trap out, explore new places, easily trailerable, within most family budgets, easy to repair and maintain......
About 25 years ago our two kids were about the same ages as yours and we had no problems sailing fast with them on our Hobie 16 in the bays, ocean and lakes. We all run and we're all light weight. The Hobie 21 that J. Eaton just mentioned sounds great for most families who don't have a weight problem. The Getaway sounds okay also.
Don't rush into this. I'd visit a Hobie Dealer and visit a nearby boat show before deciding.
One more thought....Can your friend with the H 16 take you and your three kids out sailing? Try it out. It's hard to believe but not all kids like sailing.
Good luck!

Budget = nonexistent -- been trolling craigslist ads.

I live in Martinez, CA. So I have easy access to the San Francisco Bay as well as the Delta and also several lakes within 1-2 hours drive.

In looking at the ads on craigslist small (15-24') trailerable swing keel boats look like the answer.

I am in the boating industry - I clean the bottoms of boats in the Delta with SCUBA gear for a living so I really do know how much it costs for upkeep on a boat. Hence the reason for looking for a trailerable boat.

sharkfeed2000 Post subject: CA - 30th Annual Sharkfeed Regatta Sept 25,26 2010 Fleet 281Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 5:03 pm

Hobie Fleet 281 would like to announce the 30th Annual Sharkfeed Regatta at Doran Beach in Bodega Bay California September 25, 26 2010. The NOR is posted at hobiefleet281.com , Camp sites are filling up quick. Dinner and party Saturday nite. raffle. For more info call me Andy at 707-332-0971, or email [email protected]. Andy Pollock Commodore Hobie Fleet 281

INTERSTATE - This is from an older post a few months ago under Places To Sail. I'd contact them to see how active their Fleet is and which events they have throughout the year. It's fun to sail by yourself with just your family, but much, much more fun to sail and camp with others who also have families. You're not just buying a boat to sail with your family; you're also buying into an incredible lifestyle if you make the right choices.
The best of luck to you and your family!
Richard

You could also try out some boats at your local sailing center. I think that a 16 would be the right boat for anyone to start out with, just take turns, and if it works out you could get another one or trade it for a bigger boat when you are ready, in either case you may be very glad you have a 16.

Wha.. Is that an outboard motor hanging off the back of that cat?

We're in a different family situation than you (older kids now leaving home). We just sold an O'Day 20 (trailerable and manageable) before we bought our H-16.

The O'Day was fun, but it required a deeper lake (farther drive), which made it an all day event. That said, we had up to 4 adults in the cockpit and 3 kids up front on the bow. Fun times!

I say go for a trailerable monohull now, and "downsize" to a Hobie when you have fewer people to sail with...and still want to have fun.

I have 2 kids aged 8 and 5 and this year we bought an old 16 and have had a great time sailing every weekend. Have had 2 adults and 4 kids on it in a good breeze and she still flew along but did bury up to her mastbase a few times
My kids love it and we have a surfboard which we "waterski" with behind the cat.
Other peoples kids have come along and about half have got scared when the hull lifted but with a bit of patience they can get used to it "Please stop crying!!"
I think for 3 kids 2 adults maybe you need to look at a bigger boat or at least one with more volume so its not so likely to nosedive 1 adult and 2 kids works well though

I have been pretty fortunate, not all my family is into the sailing so my daugter and I make a great team, but if you are looking for everyone together a 16 is pushing it.