Hobie 20

I am a previous owner of an H-14. As my family grew we out-grew the H-14. A great one person boat but not enough for 2. I origionally considered an H-16 but once I saw and read about the H-18 with wings I decided that was the way to go. What about an H-20? What to do? How to decide? Please offer some guidance. Thanks T

Before advice, questions.

Where do you sail? Ocean, bay, lake? What is the average windspeed in your area? Do you plan to race? Tell us about your family. Are you looking new or used? What budget.

Now some shot in the dark advice.

I live in San Diego, sail primarily in Mission Bay (small and very protected) and occasionally in the ocean off the beach here. The ocean access is by a protected channel, no surf launching. Once in a blue moon I will sail through the very small surf at La Jolla Shores (2' or less). The wind in San Diego is almost always 8-10 knots on an average day. I have a wife and two small boys ages 3 and 5. The Hobie 20 is a good boat in the fact that all of us can go sailing together, but if it is windy(10 kts +), the boat is big and powerful and kind of scares the boys. I try to take it easy on the kids, they need a few (5) years before fast is really fun, and by that time, they will be sailing the Wave on their own. This summer I am buying a Hobie Wave to have a more tame multihull to take the family out on.

I do not race much due to time constraints, which in this area is a good thing because most of the 20 sailors have moved to the Tiger. If I was interested in high end racing, the tiger is the boat I would buy in Southern California. Also, the Tiger has a self tacking jib, and a better deck layout, no jib sheets to sit on or crawl over, so the tiger is a more comfortable boat that is easier to single hand. You do not have to sail it with the spinnaker, which is a whole lot of fun once you get the hang of it, so don't let this extra rigging and hardware scare you. Put it aside until you have the basics of this bigger, more powerful boat down.

I plan to sail mostly on a fresh water lake in Nothern Maine. Winds can vary from 5-30 MPH depending on the time of day and year. I don't plan to race but who knows once we get going. I have 3 children ranging from 10-15. All love the water! I would like to start with a used boat to see how well this goes. Hoping that everyone get's into it! I am a bit afraid that the H-20 will be too much boat! What do you think?

For your needs I would highly recommend something that is very easy to set up. If it takes too long you will be looking for excuses that it is inconvienient.

I have been sailing Hobie 20s and Tigers for about 10 years. I use a winch on the front of the trailer to assist me in stepping and lowering the mast. For comfort on the trampoline it is hard to beat a Tiger. If you do not set up the spinnaker there are a minumum of lines on the trampoline and you do not have a jib traveller, which can be uncomfortable, in the middle of the trampolne. Both the Hobie 18, not Tiger, and Miracle have this traveller.

Want a really cool boat, not neccessarly for racing but great for family outings? Try a Hobie Getaway with the forward trampoline.

I cannot say enough about a Tiger, though, if you are getting into any serious sailing. Both the Tiger and the Getaway have self tacking jibs so you do not need a ton of experience for a pleasurable sail.

Later,
Dan

H20's are like a Porsche - a tremendous craft, but really for advanced sailors. In terms of convenience, (such as a H16 or Getaway,) others will likely share with you that the H20 hulls are much more delicate, and thus require special handling when beaching. My wife (who is into social sailing, not performance stuff,) has had to talk me out of buying a H20 on three occasions. We are very happy with our 1988 H18.

For family sailing, do a demo on a Getaway, which has tons of room. Or, go for a sail on a H16 (although you might find it a bit small for the whole family). If you can find a friendly Hobie 18 sailor, try that. Especially with wings. Check out the classifieds in this forum, there is one for sale in New Jersey. The H18 is more complex that the Getaway or H16, but it can carry the extra weight of the extra people, and it certainly sails very well. Wings are a great option. For social sailing, under mild to moderate conditions, we have often had four adults on board. If you do decide on a H18, convert the jib sheets with the pigtail modification, which will shorten up the sheets, thus giving you more room on the tramp.

I have no knowledge of Tigers, although I'd love one for my next birthday.

Good winds

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

First,
Realize that the correct number of boats is "one more". This is an important first step in any true boat lovers awareness of the afliction.

The reason that this is important is that you and your family will need more than one boat. You may start out with a Hobie 16, a Getaway, or a Hobie 20. It really does not matter, because your boys will love it and will sooner or later monopolize the boat. Your next boat can be a Hobie pedal kayak to chase out to the boys on the capsized boat, or one of the boats you think is missing in the mix.

I tell you this because our family started with a cat when I was eight. Since then we have owned aVenture 15, Prindle 16, three different Aqua Cats (Waves are better, but you get the point), a laser, two pedal kayaks, an inflatable with outboard, a catalina 27, a sabot, a Hobie 20, a Prindle 15, a Boston Whaler 14, and an aluminum 15' with outboard, and various windsurfing riggs from cruisers to racers to wave sailing machines. The 16 was given away three times before it didn't come back, the Aqua cats were all sold or given away, the Whaler stolen, the laser sold, the Prindle 15 sold. The next boat on the list is a Wave for the kids this summer, and then Maybe another race boat for me.

Sail on what you intend to buy first. I have watched too many people buy over there comfort level. You may sail with everyone occasionally, but usually it will only be two or three on the boat. That is why the second boat is only a matter of time.

This is not my first boat. I think we're just behind you! Caught the water bug and own a good handfull of boats. Thought we might rather enjoy the speed/excitment of a hobie ripping across the water. Just not sure which one is right and available. Can you fly an H-20?

Yes!! Flying the hull double trap in a moderate breeze is hard not to do.

The 20 is big and powerful. That is why I suggested that you actually get on one before you purchase it. My buddy that owned a 20 was mortified that I had discussed selling it to buy a Tiger. He had a 20, now has a Tiger and says he misses the power, speed, and smoothness that only the 20 can match. Off the wind the Tiger is faster with the kite, but the 20 still smokes the Tiger up wind. He likes racing the Tiger, but misses the 20 all the same.

Mike:

Smokes???, what are you smoking? I will admit that in lighter conditions the 20 is faster to weather, but in anything above 10 mph they are very close in speed. The 20 is a more powerful boat. That was a concern when I got a Tiger after sailing the 20. Here is the caveat, the Tiger is a way more efficient design.

Though the Tiger has a smaller sail area, the mast and sail combination with the balance of the daggerboard it sails better than the 20. The 20 steers more like a truck than the Tiger. I came off the Hobie 16 which likes to be steered, especially in wind. When I got on the 20 one of the first things that I had to learn was "do not move the helm." The Tiger is much more forgiving on the helm than the 20.

I sailed a portsmouth race on a 20 with one other 20 and about 4 Tigers. The 20s made it to the weather mark first, but just barely. The Tigers were bunched up behind us. The first Tiger was only about 1 boatlength behind the other 20. When we turned the corner at the top they put up the chutes and were gone. We never caught them on the course again.

I know that you have good luck with the 20 when you sail your one and only race of the year on New Years Day. Which usually starts out pretty light. You seem to know your way around San Diego Bay as well. I am really looking forward to having you in the fleet on a Tiger. Are you thinking about playing at more regattas this year? COME ON DOWN!!!

Another thing about the Tiger which could be mentioned again is that the trampoline is much more comfy than the 20, due mostly to the jib traveller.

There is not much better than flying a hull downwind. As good as California Scream'n rollercoaster at Disneyland. What a rush!

Later,
Dan

How to get a Tiger sailor up in arms, tell him his old boat smokes his new boat.

Like taking candy from a baby, too easy.

Well, which boat did you pick? Let us all know what you decided.

I have a Hobie 18SX that might work for you if you are interested contact me at [email protected]