hobie europe contact re-hobie pacific cost

Just got my reply rom hobieaus regarding the price of a new hobie pacific imported into australia. It will cost around 10500 euros, and that does not include 5% import duty and 10% gst added on top of that plus freight.
All up a bit of cost. The reason I looked at this boat was that it looks to be a more modern design than the h18, much simpler much more comfortable and perhaps more buoyancy in the bows, ideal for long distance cruising.
Just a question, now that the hobie 18 is no longer made, will there be a new design 18 or will the pacific be the boat employed to replace the 18?
From Tasmania's only getaway sailor!

I believe the Hobie Tiger fits the bill as a replacement for the Hobie 18.

The Pacific has been around for many years. I is fairly similar to the Getaway, so not something we would import for sale.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

From browsing the websites, my understanding is that Hobie Europe made their own moulds and built the Pacifica based on the 'old' H18. Check out http://www.hobienet.com
It is very similar to a H18, with European cross bars (flat not curved, different fittings/castings, similar to Tiger cross bars). The hull section is different, including skeg keels and no daggerboards. The foot of the mast has a Tiger type ball system, and it is a boomless rig. The optional spinnaker has a very clever system for spin blocks, which attach to the lower shroud plates.

Great for expeditions, beaching, snorkeling. Other than that, the fittings are the same, the rudders are the same etc. I think it is this model which Matt suggests is similar to the Getaway, with its wings, skeg keels etc.

I guess that's the trouble when you design/build good product, (the old H18), people keep wanting it long past its cycle.

The only Hobie Europe product I have sailed is the Hobie 15, high volume hulls, boomless main, hiking wires, skeg keels, self-furling jib. (This was in Antigua, and what a wonderful week we had, sailing around the island in a 51 ft cat.) Hobie 15 is a great training/fun boat, tough, and an enjoyable sail.

Minus 22 Celcius last night, roll on Spring! I'm thinking about a spin on my H18 this year.

_________________
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.'