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Hobie 18 vs Tiger performance and single handing
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Author:  borka [ Thu Aug 01, 2019 7:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Hobie 18 vs Tiger performance and single handing
Some one please explain to me why a Hobie 18 with a Sail area of 240 sq ft is considered by most a not intimidating boat to sail, and generally ok to single hand in reasonable winds <20 kts.

While the Tiger has a smaller sail area of 227 sq ft, and most say its a performance F18 racing boat, not for casual sailers, and no no to single handing?
(lets not take the tiger spinnaker into account here, just main/jib sailing).

I dont get it.
Author:  John Lunn [ Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 18 vs Tiger performance and single handing
I have occasionally sailed Tigers, Wildcats, NACRA F18's and a C2.
These boats were designed for a combined crew weight of ~360 lb minimum, and in anything over 10 knots, most folks will need that weight to keep the boat upright.
Yes, you can solo, however once the wind picks up, unless you are an experienced cat sailor and weigh in over 200 lbs, I suggest you will be sailing on the edge.

The H18 is much more forgiving, as it is a more 'inefficient' design and not as 'slippery' as the more modern F18 boats.
I have often sailed solo in my beloved H18SX with Tiger spin, now sold. (Back to a very fast 2015 H16)
However, I would never dare sail solo in 20 knots, as I would have no way of righting it by myself.

Comments from others?
Author:  rehmbo [ Sun Sep 22, 2019 6:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 18 vs Tiger performance and single handing
I single-hand my H18 quite often and my F18 (C2) on occasion.

For rec sailing, I found both boats manageable in stable wind under 15kts As you get over ~10kts in the F18, you are over-powered and have to either put on significant cunningham, dump the main, travel out, or a combination of the 3 to keep going.

For racing, once you get over-powered, the boat with 2 crew marches right past you. Light weight is nice, but doesn't allow the boat to power-up properly.

Due to the updated sails (materials, aspect ration, etc.) and board design, the F18 is much more sensitive to changing wind, etc. But it's manageable if you know what you're doing.

Single-handed righting of either boat is impossible without special equipment. If you don't have a plan B to get the boat up, I wouldn't do it.
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