maiden voyage

I’m finally out on the water with my new to me hobie 18. After getting the boat a bit over a year ago I finally got all the parts and pieces together. I found the boat on Craigslist for the price of gas to go pick her up! ! ! Surprising enough the bulk of the parts were very serviceable. The hulls were rough, which is why I painted them. Just too many repairs had to be made. My goal is to find a more solid set of hulls when these start to show signs of giving up the ghost. Hopefully I'll find a set and be in a position to purchase when I need them.

I do want to thank this community here. Our first time out was more than a dream. Found one or two things to attend to, but overall, a perfect day out. Wind didn’t get over about 8 mph, so it was a good day to test the sails, hulls, etc out in conservative conditions. I’ve done a ton of research here, which for the most part, is why the first time out was such a success. Thank you!

Here are some pictures of us setting up before we head out.

Congratulations Florida Joshua !

Boat looks awesome - do you have any before pictures ?

So, what all did you have to do besides what you listed above ?

What color scheme are the sails ?

Was stepping the mast easy ?

Since it was the maiden voyage, how did you set the mast angle ? I had mine way too far forward on the first run but someone here told me how to adjust.

Did you have any issues with water depth where you sailed ? My good friend sails in Tampa and tells me horror stories about sand shoals and shallow spots. Are your rudders the newer style which kick up easier ?

I think that's enough questions ! Sorry !?!?

Mike

Mike, thanks for the reply.

I don't have a before pic. I should have taken some pics while working, but didn't.

The boat sat for 7 years in a back yard. . .doing nothing. It sure looked like it too when I got it. I cleaned it all up, had to attend to huge soft spots on the inner hulls. I replace just about every bushing. I redrilled the rudders, yes they are the new styles. The guy who had it before looked to do alot of upgrades but didn't follow through with completing anything. I replaced the shroud pins, got a used tramp, bought new wing tramps. .. and a new down haul. Most of the lines were not serviceable, but had some good friends that helped out with what they had.

Sails are in ok condition. The down haul grommet was not even in the sail, so it's something I have to attend to. Reworked the batten ends as well. I think it's a magnum, but not sure. I've got black anodized everything. Sail pattern is similar to the magnum picture on the FAQ page.

I work with stone everyday, so stepping the mast wasn't a big deal, but I can see how it could get heavy the older I get. . .I'm 33 now.

I'm still a bit unsure of alot of details on this boat. I know how to sail pretty good, but still have alot to learn as concepts in your head are quite different than putting them into action. The rake of the mast I wasn't concerned with as getting the boat in the water was far more important to me than getting the most out of the boat at this time. I did catch a thread on it, but haven't really set anything up on my own hobie yet. I'm sure give me a season on her and we'll be there.

The Charlotte Harbor (where I sail) is pretty hard for hobie cats as there is really no where to put in easily. I'd be willing to bet I'm the only hobie on the water here. I drop in at a boat ramp and have to pull her around a bit to get set up at what some call the only beach on the harbor. Once I get out it's a big playground with few shallow spots. Getting out will get easier with time I'm sure. The rudders kick up easy, which I like. Getting out at low tide, the rudders kicked up in one spot, but no problems otherwise.

There are alot of old guys sailing in the harbor, so I feel pretty good naming my boat whip'r snap'r. I think it also says alot about my personality. . . lol

Joshua.

Congratualtions, man, the boat looks great! I, too, bought my first H-18 last fall and we thoroughly enjoyed sailing her these past six months. Unfortunately, with winter looming, I plan on dropping the mast and removing the tramp tomorrow after work (mine is stored on the beach).

I feel like I'm continuing to learn something new everytime I go out, even with a couple of dozen sails under my belt. The first time we took her out I tore the cam swivel cleat off the rear cross when I mistakenly connected the mainsheet system to it instead of the traveler car (Doh!). I also managed to break one rudder, so I now pop them up manually before I reach the shallows. Finally, I had my mast come down on the beach due to a sheared shroud pin which I suspect was the result of my beach helper levering the Cat Trax into place by pulling hard on the line while it was wrapped around the pin. I did also have to replace my jib zipper but thanks to poster "T-Bone's" recommendation, I was back on the water with a brand new one in two weeks time.

For next season I plan on replacing all of my standing rigging (shrouds and forestay wires), performing some minor repairs to my trampoline (pocket corners are are beginning to peel up), painting my entire rudder assembly to match my rudders, cross beams, boom and mast (black grill spray paint from Home Depot), buying a harness (leaning towards the Dakine Fusion), and building a "solo right".

Happy sailing!

Joshua,

I'm not sure but I believe you need to upgrade your boat - especially with the wings (Matt would know for sure). The spot where the crossbars mount to the hulls needs a larger bracket or the hulls can fail (crack and sink !) If you search 'redline' boats then you will find it.

Here is my boat - with a small piece of channel shaped anchor bracket under the lip. I need to upgrade too !!


Here is a boat with the upgraded bracket installed - they are the same as your side stay anchors.

Front:


Rear:


If i'm mistaken on this please correct me !!??

I just ordered the brackets myself.

Mike

Thanks for the imput guys. I'm still working on my righting system. I really want to keep it simple. I think I read that one rope tied to the dolphin striker is all you need. I'm still young, or I think so, so I'm hoping I can right it with one rope and my righting bag. I'm hoping not to find out for a while, but knowing me. . .I'll push the limits pretty quick.

Beefing up the cross bars seems like a good idea. The boat although it was rough around the edges seems like it did well. The topsides of my boat need some work, which is why I wanted to use the wings. It helps keep me off the soft spots. My season for sailing has really just begun here so I'll have plenty of time to figure out what I need to make happen before the season ends for me. The summers in the gulf or at least here bring the storms. The wind also dies almost completey although if you watch close you can still get some good days. I couldn't imagine haveing to wait all winter to go sailing again, that must really stink.


Brian, I feel the same way. I have learned so much here, and now it's time to go make my mistakes on the water. I've been blessed to have a good friend guide me and help me get a good grasp of sailing on his f-27. He really encouraged me to get out there on my own boat for the exact reasons I stated above. . . make my mistakes and gain the confidence. We went out did a bunch of man overboard drills for fun, jumped off the boat got a little wet, some jibes, different tacks, etc. Was a great first day. I'll say enough to say I'm pretty confident I can get out there by myself and feel good about it.

Now it's time to really start to play with the boat to get my knowledge level up to get the most out of the boat. . . this i'm sure will take time.

Thanks again guys for your imput and pictures. I love seeing other people's 18's and what things they did to them. I'll be sure to imput my experiences and get to know some of you.

Joshua.