Wave in the ocean?

How does the Wave do for coastal ocean sailing? A dream of mine is to someday pleaure sail (most likely solo) the same route as the Tybee 500 (Miami, FL to Tybee Island, GA).

I've never sailed before, so I'm looking for a beginner's boat like the Wave, but I want something I won't grow tired of and I can use in a variety of conditions for alot of years to come.

Would a Wave be a good choice, or should I consider something a bit larger like the Getaway or an H16 for someday achieving my dream of sailing the Tybee 500 route? I can really only afford one boat, and I'd like it to be able to do everything I want to do, from beginner to sailor to long distance touring.

From a noob, Thanks!

Jeremy

If you've never sailed than I think you should find a used Wave, or a Bravo if you're going to solo, and learn to sail on a nice smooth bay or a lake. Why dump a bunch of money into something you've never tried?

Take care of the boat, fix it up and upgrade it. When you're ready to move up sell it and buy something more challenging. Who says you can only own one boat in your lifetime?!?!

As for sailing the Tybee route solo in a 13 ft boat I think that would be stretching it. The guys who sail that have been doing it all their lives, they do it with crew in boats that are bigger by half and they have chase boats etc. You would certainly encounter seas that would be bigger than the beam of a Wave and maybe the length!! (Have you seen the Posieden Adventure?) I had my 18 in the gulf yesterday off Venice beach in 3-5 ft waves (with occasionally bigger) and I wouldn't have wanted to be out in anything smaller.

Having said that, 2 guys once sailed an identical 18 across the Atlantic! Of course they almost died doing it. To each his own. Start small, think big, have fun and be safe.

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The ox is slow but the earth is patient

I live in Southern California and take my WAVE out on the ocean pretty much every weekend.

She handles well and confidently in a multitude of conditions. I've had her out in 20-30 mph winds and 7-8 foot waves, however,t conditions like that can easily turn into cold and wet work rather than fun.

There is no "going below" for a cup of coffee, or taking a break. In a stiff wind, it's pretty much balls out, all the time. Even peeing can be a challenge if that winds a kicking hard.

I love it, but I doubt if I would on an extended voyage.

The Wave is perfect for the Ocean, whether in a bay or off shore. I've been out 7 miles in mine.

The Wave is underpowered making it very forgiving. When I first got mine, I turned it over and pitchpoled it.

After that, I understood how she handled and I rarely have any problems in any conditions. A very user-friendly boat but it will kick in good winds, you can pretty easily fly a hull. The Getaway is harder to fly a hull.

A couple of problems I've encountered. Sometimes in high winds and chop, it may be a little difficult to tack, so don't wait until the last minute to tack in these conditions.

If this happens to you, just be patient and keep trying. Use the roll tack Rick White describes in his Wave only classes in Key Largo. Rick's classes and DVDs are top notch. BTW, you can jibe it too. I've jibes in some pretty hairy wind.

Another problem is when the wind is too low. She doesn't respond as well in low wind. The Wave loves windy conditions, and that's when the Wave performs it's best, in my opinion. The Getaway performs better in low wind, the Wave, not as good.

So, if it's a dead day and the Tides going out, good luck.

The Wave is extremely sea-worthy. If you can stand it, it can take it.

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Hobie Wave 2006
Hobie Getaway 2004

So, I take my Wave (Club) exclusively on the ocean. The thing lives on the beach under a tarp and I wheel it to the oceans edge, raise the sail and go. I have turtled it once when a large wave approached while I was launching. In general, if you time the waves properly, getting out is easy. The day I flipped it, the ocean was rough and the waves were moving fast.

Once you are away from the breakers it is smooth sailing. On days with high winds, there is considerable chop and I don't sail. Others seem to enjoy the high winds.

Sailing in the Atlantic of the FL coast means I get to sail with the dolphins.

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Dreaming of the islands

Erm, uuummmm.

Yep, the Wave is a windy day boat, for sure.

While I wouldn't sail anywhere that I couldn't SWIM back to shore fairly easily (and I'm a good swimmer or was when I swam competitively), it's nice to have back-up if you get caught in one of those "special" situations!

Like the phone number of the Coast Guard. Or a buddy in another boat, etc.

A lot, I'm sure, depends on conditions. In NC, the coast goes from happy weather to threatening in a snap and tidal conditions add those wonderful currents. And there are the areas where running aground is frequent and no fun. (And those wonderful oyster shells that live on intercoastal sandbars that can cut bare feet open with one whack!)



Well, I not sure I agree with that. I wouldn't suggest that someone who has never been on the water buy a Tiger, but.

There are intermediate steps between recreational boats and the top high performance ones. Plus, it's all a matter of education, isn't it?

Everyone learns either with the "crash and burn" method or the Rick White and/or Hobie University stuff?

The Wave is a good starter boat though...

Please, more and better particulars?

Are you talking about jibe and ____________ = flipped or just jibed or jibed and nearly ripped the mast off the boat or something else?

Just curious.

I sail my Wave exclusively off Hilton Head, the boat does great in the ocean. My goal is to sail over to Tybee some day, have tried it a few times but the water gets VERY choppy and turbulent about half way there.