Buying a boat

New to the boards, just looking for a little assistance.

I've been sailing since I was old enough to take a boat out by myself - mostly small sunfish types and a Snark Sea Devil I keep up at the cottage. Having recently graduated from college I decided I wanted to bring my passion closer to home and buy a bigger boat for down here in Milwaukee. I definitely want a trailer-able boat with multiple bodies of water in short driving distance (Michigan, Winnebago, Geneva, etc). I'm a bit of an adrenaline junky and had a blast sailing cats in the past, so I think I've settled on a hobie 16 as my future purchase. Now that I'm done with football I've been losing weight like crazy and am down to 250, should end up around 220. I'll probably do a bit of solo sailing but most will be with a buddy, probably in the range of 180-220lbs. Mostly casual sailing, although I can definitely see myself get into racing at some point. Also would like the possibility of bringing a lady or two out on the boat, fully realizing that it will be dog slow with 3-4 people.

I'm on a budget at the moment and would like to my initial investment under $1000 - less than that if possible. I've got all fall/winter to find a boat and I have a pretty good idea what to look for (hull delamination, soft/cracked glass, flex in the frame). So I guess I was wondering if you guys think a hobie 16 would be a good fit for me and whether or not you think I can come in under budget? Any advice on immediate upgrades (rigging, etc)? Also given my size, do you think I'll have a problem righting without a righting bag? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

With the weights you posted, especially if you want to have 4 people on board you might consider an 18... I would never take 4 people... probably not even 3 out on a 16.

I think an 18 has about twice the bouyancy of a 16... if you look around you can probably snag an 18 within your budget.

Good luck!

I've had 2 adults and 3 kids out on my 16 with the wind blowing and we had a blast. No where near potenial, but I wasn't in a race or anything. I think the capacity says 800 lbs, but by then you'd be pretty deep in the water.
I think a 16 would be a great place to start. There are so many out there and parts are never a problem. When you go to the 18 everything is narrowed down as far as resources to go to. I started out on a 16 and after many years, here I am again. I think that I will always own one now. Have a great search.

you can get a 14 or 16 for that price but a 18 would be better

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1983 Hobie 16 Cat fever #55697
2008 Laser Radial/4.7 #190471
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The posted capacity of 800lb for a Hobie 16 is a joke.

If you expect to sail with over 350lb on a regular basis, you should at least consider boats other than the 16. The 16 is a great boat, but its weight capacity is limited for any real performance sailing, 400lb would be pushing it. We had three people on board my 18 this weekend totaling over 500lbs in 20 to 25mph wind and the boat never skipped a beat - two on the wire and flying.

As far as the $1000 max budget, you may get lucky and find a deal, but in most cases boats that are found for under $1k need a lot of TLC and you could likely just end up buying someone's problems. Insepect the boat really well.

sm

I am a thin 255lb, 6'6". If I have a 3rd person on my Hobie 16, it takes the fun out of it. You can do it but I would not recomend planning on doing it regularly. I personaly like to solo it.

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1978 Hobie 16 (the new one)
1975 ish Hobie 16
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I appreciate all of your input. Decided that I'm gonna keep my eye open for both 16's and 18's and buy the first quality one I find in my budget (raising that to $1500 for the right boat). I'll simply have to adjust my sailing plans accordingly. My last question remains though, given my size will I have a problem solo righting without a bag? Thanks again for the help.

220 pounds is not enough weight to reliably right a 16 or an 18 without some sort of assistance. Under certain conditions, maybe, but in general- no.

sm

That's the answer i was looking for. Thanks.

yep... I 6'5" 225lbs... and I can right the 18 and the 16 solo if there is enough wind to blow me over.. light air... I can't bring it back up... but then again.. I ain't usually over...

Only time i get nervous is when it is 7mph gusting to 20mph.. or something like that... There I could get blown over and then have to wait for air that may never come to right it...

I need to get my righting bag sorted..



And if you are trailer sailing... the 16 wins IMO.. if you can keep it mast up... the 18 wins... unless you are racing.. then the amount of competition makes the 16 'better'... But for play 18 is awesome... and for me.. with it being less sensitive to weight... and so much smoother.. personally when just playing, even solo...... I would choose the 18....

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