which hobie cat should I buy

Hello everybody, first of all I am new on this and I am spanish, so sorry for my english in case I make a mistake.

I just came from hollidays and I learnt to sail with a hobiecat wave, as you can imagine is quite easy but I enjoyed a lot the experience and really want to buy inmeaditily a hobbie cat.

my question is which model should I buy?? someone told that I should go for the hobiecat 16, and really like it, but I never tried so far.

I would be pleased to receive your advices for a new member like me !!!

Welcome to the club!
the 16 is a good choise for many reasons ,but needs 2 person crew to sail.I have the 14turbo ,which is a bit smaller and better for one person ,but much fun and fast . I cant speak for the other models I have no idea!

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hobiecat 14Turbo - TORNADO

My intention is to use the boat in most of the times alone, and I was told that the hobiecat 16 is valid for 1 or 2 persons.

is that correct or will I need another person to use the 16?????

thats why I speak for a smaller one ,I think that the 16 is very difficult to be used from one person with a fair wind ,you should better ask a person with a 16 to tell you about!In my opinion isnt for one person .

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hobiecat 14Turbo - TORNADO

The 16 is a two person boat but can be sailed solo. I am sure that alot of people on here will tell you that the 16 can be sailed solo and I am sure that it can but it will be alot more difficult than a 14. You don't want to get a boat where setting it up is an excuse to not go sailing. Also just handling the 14 is easier since it is lighter.

I can unload and set up my boat in less than 30 minutes. I have seen guys really struggling with 16's. Also when soloed the 14 can outrun most boats on the water, except a 16 being soloed.

Now for the negative about the 14. It is a small boat and can very easily be overturned. Also if you put two people on it, it starts leaning alot and can be flipped alot easier and it can be a little slow but not that bad. Also do you know what a pitchpoll is. Well if you get a 14 you will learn. It is not a question of if you pitchpoll on a 14 it is a question of when.

Well that is me weighing in, hope you have fun!!

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

Truth is, once you have setup a 16 by yourself it just gets eaiser. I can get my H16 from the trailer with mast down to on the water and sailing in less than 30 minutes by my self, de-rigging is only slightly longer because of the time it takes to double check all the tiedowns to the trailer and such.

Sailing a 16 solo is also something that can be done. I have only had my 16 since Late December and can sail fairly well in 15 to 20MPH winds.

Yes there is more to the 16 but it can be done and is not rocket surgery. There are 3 member of our fleet that solo rig and sail their 18s as well so it is just a matter of what you are looking for.

the 16 can handle a bit more weight, than the 14 and the 18 even more weight but is a much more advanced boat.

How many people do you think you are going to want on your boat at one time? You can get 3 adults on a 16, we had 4 large males on a 18 last weekend in 28+ winds (what a blast) II do not know what the 14 can handle

Also, I am currently teaching my 15 almost 16 year old daughter to sail the 16.

Sam

I agree thats why I wanted a 16cat owner to give the answer .On a 14 you cannot sail with 3 person ,only with light winds otherwise becomes a submarine!
So my friend find a 16 ,cause if you learn the 14 you will surelly want to change it with a 16 later .

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hobiecat 14Turbo - TORNADO

And if your anything like myself, and have a family with a love of the water, you may find yourself on a 18 or 20+ soon enough

Sam

ok convinced, if your little daughter can handle a 16 hobie cat I am sure I will do so too

my girl friend doesn't like it, that's why I assumed that I will sail in most of the cases alone and from time to time I will "oblige" her to come and also some friends will join me, but if you really say that a 16 can be handle alone I would rather prefer this fantastic boat.

more opinions are wellcome

by the way just a comment from a novice like me, my intention is to leave the hobbie cat overnight in the beach in front of my house, I guess that I will only need to take out the sails with me, is that right ??????

I will save a lot of time and therefore, the setting up of a 16 will be more or less the same as the 14, is this right???

sorry if this is a stupid comment.

Hola Woqr de donde eres? Yo soy de Ibiza y tengo un Hobie 18 lo he montado y he navegado solo con el en muchas ocasiones...eso si un dia de viento ves con ojo...o invita un amigo de 100kG

Un Saludo

If you are on a beach, yes, much much less setup time, like 10 to 15 minutes Max on a bad day.

Splash, what??? something about an 18. I know you are trying to make his life eaiser, but can you please translate?

I realize this is a world wide sport so maybe I should just find a translator.

Thanks
Sam

thanks flash, sorry the others, just a comment in spanish ok???

oye flash tengo mi casa en sanxenxo, en la ria de pontevedra, no es mar abierto asi que no hay demasiado viento, asi que imagino que el 16 me ira bien no??

soy bastante novato pero este verano he aprendido en un hobie wave y me ha encantado, tu que me recomiendas?? el hobie 16 es mucho para mi siendo un super novato?? por cierto como estan los precios?? cuanto cuesta nuevo un hobiecat 16?? merece la pena comprarlo nuevo o me busco uno por 3000 euros de segunda mano??


ok that's all now we can talk in english, sorry guys

Think about a Hobie 17se or 17 sport, both are very good options for sailing by yourself or occasionaly with someone else.

Check out the H 17 forum on this site for info or advise.

Good luck with your choice.
Mike

The Hobie Max and Pacific look like cool boats. What Hobies do people sail where you live?

I've found that bigger boats are more comfortable to sail solo, but you will need a righting bag for when you tip over. You will tip over (capsize). You need to learn how to "right" the boat.

If the Wave did not satisfy your need for speed, of the USA models I would choose the Hobie 16.

Good Luck and let us know of your decision.

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hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

If you're brand new to sailing and want a cat you could go two different directions. 1> Get a Wave. They're simple to sail, designed to be single handed and you can take up to four people out. As you get better there are upgrades from Hobie and other companies that will increase the performance to the point that you'll be able to give the go fast boats a run for their money.

2> Get a 16. They're a good, solid, easy boat to sail with very few strings to pull. Depending on how you look at them they are an outdated design but how do you argue with over 100,000 sold. The 16 might be a little much at first but you sound very enthusatic and that takes care of a lot.

Either way just get out and sail, read some books, talk to other sailors, ask dumb questions and don't worry about making mistakes. We were all rookies once.

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