Hobie for choppy RI waters

I sailed a couple Hobies in the tropics and loved them!

We have a cottage in Rhode Island and sail on the Sakonnet Strait, effectively an arm of the Bay. It is quite large and the prevailing wind blows in from the south - often along with or against the tide, causing almost instant and serious "fetch" of 2 feet plus.....close together waves!

I sail a small keelboat (15) and it does get hairy...

So, I'm wondering how the Hobies differ in their ability to sail well in serious chop - I would prefer a rotomolded model, since the beaches are rocky and I would likely beach launch and land.

I like to go fast, but don't race...and considering my keelboat only hits 6 Kts, anything over 10 is fast enough....plenty of wind, though......

So, is the getaway a good choice? How about others....possibly on the used market?

I'm 57, but very strong and good ballast (210 lbs). Would probably sail sometimes with the wife sometimes and occassionally with a friend - but mostly solo.

Wave.

Next question?

Yeah, new or used?

Thanks....though....for the answer!

I don't suppose there are many used models up this way (New England).....and I don't want to be penny wise and pound foolish......then again, a visit down south is not a bad thing these days.

I would say 16, it's more versatile (cheaper too, depending on the year) and you won't outgrow it. I sailed my 16 off Plum Beach, the other side of the bay, and solo or two up, the 16 is always a blast. The Wave is only fun when it's blowing over 15kts, IMHO.

Good luck!

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Blair T

I love these calm moments before the storm, it reminds me of Beethoven...


'02 Hobie Tiger USA 1152

You won't run the 16 up the rocks on the beach though. Based on your background I think the getaway would be an excellent compromise. Ya sure its little slow but much faster than he is used to. Its comfortable and easy to sail. Storage to day trips, what more could you ask??

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

Personally I wouldn't run any boat up the beaches in RI, all too rocky and even a rotomoulded boat can wear out. When I didn't have beach wheels, I would park my 16 in 1-2 feet of water, get it under control then gently drag it, bows up as high out of the water as I could go, and place it on the beach. But again, that's me and my boats, everyone can do as they please with theirs.

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Blair T

I love these calm moments before the storm, it reminds me of Beethoven...


'02 Hobie Tiger USA 1152

For "driving" though chop the H18 is the best ...

But .... it maybe the "wrong fit" here .... it is bigger and heavier ... more powerful ... and it is fiberglass .... so it doesn't like "rocks" .....

I second Matt's suggestion .... a Hobie "Wave" is a good cat to start w/ here .... it's not as flashy ... or as fast .... but it is easily sailed ... fun and reasonably fast .... and almost indestuctable .... and they are fairly cheap (even when new) ....

... and if you find you like going fast on a catamaran ... then you can always move up to the Wave's bigger brethen after you gain some experience and knowledge ..... (it's like racing cars ... first you should start/learn w/ smaller less powerful sports car .... before you go "all out" w/ a Ferrari/Porche/Lamborgini/Corvette/etc w/ lots of horsepower....)

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HarryMurphey
H-18 mag/ #9458
Fleet 54 Div 11

Or maybe the new Wildcat too. With it's design you won't have any problem with the wave. BUT ! for rocky places it's a bit dangerous.