Questions re: European vs. US model 18

I'm planning on buying an HC 18 Formula. To my best knowledge it is an European build from 1991. It has got radial cut mylar sails, Magnum wings and funny looking orange/yellow formula shaped daggerboards.
I have some questions I be more than happy if someone could help me out with:

1. Does the European build boats use the same serial marking system?
2. Do they also have the comp-tip or was that a must only for the US market?
3. As I have understood it the wings are an option, so it could have either Magnum or SX and still be a formula?
4. Any thoughts regarding colour of the daggerboards?
5. Do you know of any existing Hobie forum in Europe that could in any way measure with this outstanding? (As I see it you don't have much info regarding the specs. of the older European build boats.)

Thank you very much for an excellent knowledge resource!

/Johannes

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HC 18F 1160 (European built with Magnum wings)

Three days and no answers? Probably because this is a USA-based forum. I'll do what I can, but my answers are not authoritative.

1. I don't know.
2. I'm fairly certain the comptip is for the US market only.
3. How does it matter if a boat with wings is a formula? Are you racing?
4. Have fun coloring your daggerboards.
5. No.

The Hobie 18 has been built in many configurations since its introduction. Follows is the "short" history of the differences.

- Hobie 18 Standard... clear anodized aluminum.

- Hobie 18 SE... Black anodized aluminum, color tramp and sails.

- Magnum Wings... welded frame, length of tramp area.





- Hobie 18 Magnum... add (welded frame) "Magnum" wings (1984-85 ish).

- Hobie 18 Formula... made in Europe. 1 1/2' taller mast, Mylar main and jib.

- Hobie 18 Formula... Made in the US. Standard Hobie 18 with white powder coated aluminum.

- SX Wings... Riveted wing assembly, long seat ring oval. Seat extends forward of the front x bar and aft of the rear, nearly to the transom.





- Hobie 18 SX... Euro Formula design rig with US made SX (long ring) wings.

- Formula 18 (F18) Design class built to a "formula" made by many manufacturers. Hobie Tiger, Narca F18, Inter 18, Capricorn, Dart Hawk, Cirrus, Flyer, Twister

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Matt Miller
Hobie Cat USA

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Rich Vilvens
F-18 5150
[email protected]
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/f-185150sailing/

Above is a FAQ section where i stole this info. Just a heads up if you plan on racing the F-18 class the H-18 models aren't compliant. F-18 rules state that cross bars must be flat not curved. Good luck and happy sailing.

_________________
Rich Vilvens
F-18 5150
[email protected]
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/f-185150sailing/

Thank you both for your answers.

Skipshot:
question 3 - of interest if racign in for example the Round Texel Race. Interstesd how the MAgnum wings will affect the rating of the HC 18F.
question 4 - I've never seen anything but white daggerboards before so I got a bit confused.

hobie18rich:
Tanks for your info, but I've already come across the FAQ section.
No, I'm not going to race it as a F18. I no it isn't in compliance.

Thank you both! This will be my first personally own Hobie. I'm really excited! Planning on mostly cruising and attend a few handicap rated races a couple of times a year. Here in Sweden the catamaran class isn't very big. Especially not on the west coast, but I will do my best to gather the existing boats. Most people sailing cats here are into the F18 class, but it would be fun to shake some life into the existing older boats as well. There are still some things that the older, heavier build cats can do that the new F18's won't stand the abuse to as good, i.e. cruising and raids. At least in my opinion.

Thank you all for the massive amount of information you are putting into this forum. I only wish there where something similar for the Eurpoean cat scene regardign older HC's.

/Johannes

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HC 18F 1160 (European built with Magnum wings)

The wings atleast here in the U.S. do not affect the rating at all. However here if you begin racing with them you have to keep them for the whole regatta. so the added 30 lbs helps on windy days but hurts on light days.

_________________
Rich Vilvens
F-18 5150
[email protected]
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/f-185150sailing/