Hobie 16 - Good boat for me & kids?

I sailed a long time ago, but never on a catamaran. I want to start again, and have four young kids (ages 6, 9, 9, 11). They are all athletic, adrenaline junkies, and love being on the water. They all also swim well, and don't mind/freak out when taking a spill into the drink from a jet ski/tube/etc. Would a Hobie 16 be a good boat on a small calm lake to for me and them to learn how to sail a catamaran with?

Depends.

- As long as you're not trying to get all 5 of you on the boat at once, possibly.
- As long as the lake is big enough that when you do get a bit of wind you don't spend all your time tacking, possibly.
- As long as you don't mind a technically challenging boat to sail (relative to other offerings from Hobie), possibly.
- As long as you've found a good deal on a older 16, possibly.

Normally when someone like you walks into the shop, I would steer him towards a Getaway (assuming the whole clan needs to be on the boat) or a Wave (small groups or kids eventually sailing without parental company).

So... It depends.

Brian C

I would not be trying to get everyone on at one time. When you say "don't mind a technically challenging boat to sail" how difficult is it? I would not be looking to win races, and think I have good aptitude for these kind of thing, but do not have any Hobie experiance. Concerned about geting a Getaway and being bored. From what I have been seeing, I should be able to get into a used 16 for under $2,000 which I would not be able to do w/ a Getaway.

With the additional information you've provided, the 16 is making more sense - especially from a financial point of view.

The 16 is more challenging to sail for multiple reasons:
- Boom is a hazard to small heads... Big ones too. Getaway/Wave have none.
- 16 is more difficult to tack that a Getaway.
- 16 is more difficult to rig than a Getaway.
- 16 has more "tweakable features" than a Getaway - which can be set poorly
- 16 is more fragile than a Getaway.
- 16 is more powerful than a Getaway.

Bottom line: It's easy to sail a Getaway well, while a 16 has a learning curve that some find intimidating.

Some will argue that some of these things have nothing to do with "sailing". But there's a lot more to owning a boat than just being on it.

Just be aware that there are a lot of "cheap" 16's out there that I personally wouldn't set foot on. And in the interest of your childrens' safety, you should be sure you don't get a "cheap" boat with soft hulls.

Happy hunting.

Brian C

I take my 16 out solo all the time... and I've only had it for 2 seasons... I spent a couple of weeks on a monohaul, learning how things work.. then a couple hours on the 16 with an experienced cat sailor.. then I went solo. Oh, and I read a book on cat sailing before I touched the boat.

I've had it in some pretty challenging winds.. I've been "over my head" a couple of times, but I made it back safe and sound each time. Although I was never having to contain kids in the process.

From what I've learned... if you do things right, you go fast, if you do it wrong, you either sit there and don't move or you spin around in circles.

Thanks Brian, you have been very helpful. As far as the setting up/learning, etc. that's part of the fun for me. Also, I figure that if you know how to rig & set up, you have insight on what makes the boat move. That alone will not turn you into a sailor, but insight is always valuable.

I will put up another post on what to look for when buying a used 16. Hopefully you will comment on that post.

Not a problem.

Brian C

I can speak on this, as I bought my Hobie 16 in April 2007. My dad has one, and I have sailed on them before, but I had never done it on my own or rigged it, etc. I had no previous sailing experience, but I wanted the thrill of a Hobie.

Lucky for me, I am in Dallas and have the guys at Mariner Sails and the loyal Fleet 23 crew to help me learn it all. By the end of last season (my first sailing season) I was solo sailing on the trapeze line and loving it.

As long as you read up and have someone experienced to ask questions, you will be up and running (or flying) in no time. Rigging, while it will probably require a second person, is pretty simple. I am not a racer, so I get it set and leave it for the most part. Of course I am no expert veteran sailor, but I can get around just fine and have plenty of fun.

Now if it would just hurry up and warm up so I can start my second season...

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1983 Hobie 16 "Rumpshaker"

Ok... That's just too much information, Hal.



Brian C

Haha, there is a story behind the name, if you must know. And it is family-friendly as well, believe it or not.

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1983 Hobie 16 "Rumpshaker"

MMH --

Just be prepared to buy another Hobie in a couple of years. Those kids are gonna get older. And when they do, they are going to want to go out on their own -- without you! It isn't uncommon around here to see a family your size tootling around double stacking!!!

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Peter Nelson

Anybody got pictures of double stacked Hobies?

so how difficult is it to load a H16 on the upper levels?

By yourself it's a pain in the butt. With two people it isn't bad. With four its easy.