14 or 16 help!

I have never sailed a hobie before yet I was put in charge of picking a new boat for the family getaway. I would be replaceing a rental sunfish that we store on the bay beach for the week or two that we are in cape cod. Now, I looked at a few boats and the two that I am trying to pick between are a 16 and a 14. The 14 is not a turbo so no jib. I like the idea of a boat able to take 3 people out for a ride but some of the family feel that the bigger (more complicated) boat will take away from the easy going nature of the vacation.

I am really wondering:
Would the 14 be much easier to deal with on the beach as I don't have a beach dolly or a boat ramp to access the beach.
Will the 16 really be that much more difficult to rig and sail?
Can I leave the mast up all week and just pull the sails up and go with these hobies?
I would be greatful for any imput, I am really not sure which one to go with.?

In my opinion the H16 would be the better choice. The 14 is very difficult to tack with out the jib for the first timer. The jib on the H16 helps to pull you through the wind. Both the 16 and 14 are very similar in how they are rigged with the exception that on the 16 the jib takes the load of the forestay once it is up and tensioned. Coming from a sunfish, tacking is going to be way more difficult, look up some threads on how to tack on this forum.

Both can be a ton of fun and or a handful in heavy wind so be careful sailing for the first time with little ones and don't forget to watch that leeward bow. Don't let it take a dive. Both boats can be drug up the beach by one or two adults, and can be easily carried by four adults.

The 16 has more flotation than the 14, so taking out three or so is a bit easier. Although one of the teens in our fleet took out 6 kids on her 14, it wasn't pretty though.

Both are meant to be set up and left on the beach, I love going on weekend trips and only rigging the boat once for three days worth of sailing.

Have fun,

Adam

16

I have a 14 and know the boat pretty well. You should go with the 16. The 14 was designed as a single handed boat and doesn't carry weight very well. The ideal crew weight for a 14 is 160lbs. I weigh 200 lbs and when I put my 95 lb 12 year old daughter onboard with me, the boat is sluggish. If we both move towards the back of the boat together we'll put the stern underwater. Rent a 16 and have someone show you how to rig it the first time. Hobie Dude was right about the tension on the jib halyard, pull it tight enough that you put a little slack in the forstay. Seems odd, but that's the way it's done on the 16. Keep your weight back so you don't bury the leeward bow. I hope you have a great vacation.

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Mark Van Doren
H16 Seabreeze #112205 (Richard Petty Signature Edition)
H14T Fantasia #47787
San Juan 28

I think you should look into the Hobie Getaway.

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Bodhisatfa

Agreed, either the Getaway or the wave maybe better choices.

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Division 10, Fleet 185
Hobie 17 and Hobie 14

I get the impression you are looking at existing boats, a 14 and a 16. No question but that the 16 is the best choice for a family boat. I don't think you will find it too complicated. I think you would quickly outgrow the 14. Sailing with a jib makes coming about much easier. You didn't mention the ages of the children but as the get bigger you will be glad you have the bigger boat.

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Howard

Even though I own a 16, I aggree the others that the Getaway would be a good bet. I really wanted a Getaway since I am not a racer and prefer a more casual sail, not that I regret the 16, I love it. The 16 is basically a 2 person boat. I have had 4 total on board and it was a slug in the water. The Getaway can hold more folks. My only problem was that a good 16 could be had for a fraction of the price of a good Getaway.

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'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

NO QUESTION MATE,H16 #1 CAT!

As you have guessed, the 14 will be easier set up and haul around than the 16. If you plan to do most of your sailing solo, you might want to go with the 14 (or a 17.) The 14 can be set up by one person, the 16 not so much.

On the other hand, the 16 is bigger, faster, more complicated, and of course can carry more passengers. Plus it has a more extensive following, for what that's worth.

I have never set up a 14 or 17 so I cannot vouch has easy or difficult one can be to rig. A 16 can be set up alone as I have rigged mine by myself. Aggreed, there is a little more to pay attention to if sailing alone on a 16 versus a 14, but it is still a blast. Sometimes I prefer sailing the 16 by myself rather than having a crew to attend to the jib sheet.

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'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

Thanks for all the imput ! I bought the 14 I was looking at for 600 bones. I looked at a 16 with all the rigging and two harnesses and all for about the the same price BUT!!! the trailer and boat were not as in good of condition. I will be driving the boat around ( 6hr to the cape and 5 more to VT ) so the boat was not my only concern.

My family includes but is not limited to a 25 year old sister that is a far better sailer then me, and a cusin that is 12. We may sail two deep at any time but i don't think that the cat being sluggish will make anyone but me unhappy. We will be solo alot, most of the time not be far from shore. I will say this.... I am already dreaming about the 16 I will be bringing next year. At 200 lbs alone i owe it to myself.

Back to the 14 though, the boat has not been sailed for ten years.... I dropped the sail at sailmakers to get a good once over, what next. Should i replace any of the rigging?? just for due diligence and all? the tramp looks good and I am hopeing to put it in the water this weekend to see if it holds (though i cant see any reason that it would'nt).. I really just want to make sure that we are able to enjoy it for a long time to come. Thanks again

Good luck on your purchase. I would think you need to replace the shrouds at a minimum. Surely don't want to have a mast fall.

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'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

Back in the spring I bought my '82 H-14. I replaced the shrouds, forestay, bridle wires, and tramp lacing. New running rigging is always a nice touch. My boat was severely oxidized but I buffed out the hulls per the instructions in a video from Surf City Catamarans and they shined like new. Go to http://surfcitysailing.com and click on "media". You'll see the video selection. Best of luck with the new boat. Have fun.

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Mark Van Doren
H16 Seabreeze #112205 (Richard Petty Signature Edition)
H14T Fantasia #47787
San Juan 28

Have had a Sunfish for about four years. Got a Wave this spring. It is awesome.

MP