Primary use of your boat and what would you change?

What do YOU use your boat for?

Are you going to add wings to increase the usable area of your tramp in order to entertain friends? Going to add a cooler rack so you can enjoy your favorite beverage while under way?

Are you wanting to add wings to your boat and a forward trampoline so you can haul more gear, take more people and explore the head waters of your lake?

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hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

Our current H16 is just for pleasure sailing. I am teaching my daughter what little I know about sailing. Not sure if she will get into racing or not. I do not plan on upgrade such as wings for this boat.

Now, I have a second set of hulls that I was going to put together for me but I have been seriously considering a bigger boat 18 or 20 in the next year. MIght get into racing but still just getting more people on the boat. Probably would order new and order exactly what I think I would like.

Sam

I use my 14T for recreation primarily but alot of that is racing around with other people or exploring the lake. Also I am adding wings to it, I found instructions to do it. I am adding them for the leaverage that it will give me plus the dryer ride.

Also I added a front tramp ( not for people) but for gear. I alread did a long cruise on my 14 and am in the planning stages for one next summer.

I am also looking for a 17 that I would use for the same reasons. I want a boat that can be raced when needed but also can be used to just cruise on. I think the 17 is the best boat for me since I like to solo.

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

Good question John,
The main thing I would change ?? I would actually USE OUR BOAT rather than let it sit under cover, on a hill, near the lake, all year long
I can't do everything, but it seems that I can't do anything either

As John Lennon said - "Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans"

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The fact that this windy world is largely covered in water obviously means that man was meant to sail.

Our two Hobie 17's are only used for racing, but we have access to five Waves and four Hobie 16's at Sail Sand Point, Seattle. The best of all worlds, the cats at Sail Sand Point, are mast up, in the compound at the edge of Lake Washington, and ready to go. Another reason to support and build your local community sailing program.
Caleb Tarleton

As you allready know I'm changing everything on my boat. Looking at a self tacking jib now. I intend to get as close to F18 status as is possible. Sailing the Fox really left me wanting the speed and fun of the chute. I have always been a speed junkie and getting more out of this retired design is great fun. Its nice to know if I could race worth a crap I have a competitive 20+ year old boat. 1982 18 Mag Modified 67.9 portsmouth. F18's give me 6 mins a hour racing head to head. It doesn't matter because I can't stay with them as my skills are poor. I am really enjoying learning this new/old boat.

Pleasure Sailing! I have wings, but would like to add the rest of the options that you mentioned above.

17 & 14T

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Dave

Truth is treason in the empire of lies.

Campaign for Liberty

I have my 82 h16, I just got it late summer... I don't plan on racing, it's just a pleasure boat to me... I actually don't have the trapeze wires on it right now, but plan to put them on for next year as I advance in skill and hopefully find somebody to crew with me on a regular basis. It seems like I'm solo'ing 90% of the time.

I do plan on bringing a bag cooler along next year with some beverages in it... the hard part is going to be cutting the limes for my coronas! Guess I'll have to pre-cut them.

My wife and I use the H21SE for pleasure sailing only. I have added, front tramp, great for spinaker handling problems, lounging spot in light winds, anchoring, mooring. 2 HP outboard, great for harbors and fearless ventures out into the calm. Large Bomar hatches, big enough for playmate and small soft coolers, tackle box, gas can, chairs, wetsuits, snorkel gear, drybags full of other beach type stuff. Shroud extenders, for righting and used for intentional static capsize to fix sail stuck at masthead. Snuffer for spinnaker, makes two person (1 1/2) crew spinnaker handling easy. Large boat box makes moving it and stowing stuff sooo much easier.

Pure Fun! Recreational sailing at local venues. I purchased my hobie 16 in mid August this year. Lots of sailing dingys and keel boats while growing up, never before on a catamaran of any kind. Boat was purchased to get back sailing during the refit of my much larger keel boat under the auspices of teaching our son and daughter to sail. Now I'm hooked. This saturday, I sailed from the trapeze wire for the first time - What a Rush! I love this boat!!!

I sail with my dad around Narragansett bay..Mainly bombing by all the monohulls.

We use our Hobie 16 for recreational sailing on a private lake in the
mountains. Winds are light and the Hobie 16 is by far the most
popular sailboat on the lake! Our sailing club also has friendly
races.

We used to have a Getaway which I sold because it was too darn slow
in light winds. Not to mention too darn heavy. It's no fun to start
first or second in a race and watch all the other boats (H16s) blow
by you. I think the Getaway is probably a great boat for windier
locales.

As for wings, we don't really miss them. We do miss the front
tramp on occasion, but only rarely.

The H16 is a very well-designed boat, as its continuing popularity
attests. It is great for light wind situations.

Some of you saw this coming from a mile away. I purposely asked this question as a set up to find out why people buy/sail catamarans in the first place. My original question hints towards a rather docile existence for a catamaran and I'm glad to hear the H21 sport cruiser provides those attributes.

Of the (11) replies some key words were repeated;
"pleasure sailing" (3) times
"racing", "races" (7) times
also the "what a rush" and "bombing around" were used. Hey, hey guys, don't get your adrenaline levels up too much, you might pull a muscle.

Barren mentioned "not racing" and also the need to "put the trap wires on"...yes, yes you do, you'll discover another boat lurking in there when you slip on to the trapeze and your body becomes an extension of the trampoline. You'll get your eyes, and perspective, back where you can take in the whole boat, see the hulls in the water, see the sail better and GO FASTER.

Ooops, pardon me for getting excited.

With a premise of relaxation and cruising, and without provocation comes these comments that lean towards speed and the hint of racing?

You guys are animals.

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hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

Yes, John I believe we are. And proud of it.

This was a great thread. Personally, I did not see it coming. Also, I think you are correct in surmising the "go fast" attraction of these boats. No doubt that is what keeps us coming back for more.

We are animals!!!! That is why so many people are sad about the 18 not being made anymore, and the lack of boats in that class. Yeah the roto boats are great but there are alot of people out there that want speed.

Hopefully Hobie will take this in to consideration in the designing of new products.

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