Which cat should an older, easy cruisn' dude get?

I'm 53 and move a little slower these days but still have good strength and can sail all day when we rent Hobies on vacation. Sailed a lot of Hobies when I was younger. THE QUESTION: as an older guy who may go out once or twice a month- maybe take a couple of young kids- for easy, fun "cruising", and want
easy, simple, fast, lightweight (easy on back) setup and breakdown- should I
get a Wave or a 16?

Never mind, by writing this out I just answered my own question: Wave!

Thanks for your help anyway!!

-Drone

waves are easy but i even felt a little cramped with just me and my 5 year old son when we rented one in the bahamas a few weeks ago. Maybe a getaway? little bigger and more comfortable with the wings

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'73 hobie 16 restored 2011
'00 Seaswirl fishin boat

Thanks ReelKnotty, good advice. -Drone

GET THE REAL DEAL IN A HOBIE CAT 16 IT CAN BE ALL BOATS TO ALL PEOPLE I FINALLY GOT ANOTHER ONE AFTER 20 YEARS HOWEVER STILL HAVE MY 21SE FOR THE KICK BUTT SIDE
YOU AND YOUR CREW WILL HAVE FUN IN LAKE OR OCEAN

Whichever boat you get, keep in mind that 53 is not considered "old" in the Hobie world. Lots of folks are sailing these boats well into their 60's and beyond (some sailing them quite well I might add).


sm

I bought my Hobie 16 at age 51 and am still sailing the same boat after 27 years. I recommend the H-16 as a great all around boat. I single hand it a lot but have carried up to 3 more adults at times.

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Howard

I say go for the H16. I took a wave out when on vacation and there is no comparison. The wave felt heavy and sluggish and did not respond to the helm well. I was by myself but can imagine with anyone else on board it would have magnified the feeling. I have been sailing hobies for a long time. It was a hobie that got me into sailing when I was 12. I am now 54 and just getting the hang of it. I'll never be without a hobie again. I may go to a F18 if the chance comes along, but these are great all around boats. H16 definitely. Plus you will find one that will be a lot cheaper to buy and maintain.

Drone - great advice from all the above, but there's so much about you and the kids that we don't know. We know your age, but we don't know about your weight, fitness, health, ages of the kids, their weight.....
It's hard to beat the speed and excitement of a Hobie 16, but it does take a bit of time and effort to set it up and take it back down to trailer it back home at the end of the day. For most of us the positives far outweigh the negatives of owning and sailing the H16 or larger boats. One thing you must realize - THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS THE "PERFECT" BOAT.
About a year ago a friend and I traded boats for about an hour. I believe his boat was a Hobie Adventure Island. It was a trimaran that can be either paddled or sailed or peddled like a bike with flippers on the bottom of the boat. It had a mast, sail, and a rudder with a mesh tramp for the grandkids extending out to both alms. Setup and take town was about 10 -15 minutes and no heavy lifting. Perhaps something you should consider. Of course, his other boat is a very large catamaran with a spinnaker that he uses for racing - not family outings.
There are so many choices and you're probably not going to get everything you want from any one boat. Take your time and do your research, but first decide what's really the most important things for you to consider - speed & excitement or ease & speed of setup. Then visit your local Hobie dealer and have a little chat. A test drive would be ideal.
Good luck and please let us know how thing turn out.

I'm 60 and have three 16's they keep you in shape, but the getaway might be a reasonable alternative.

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Bodhisatfa

I have a 16 and love it. I rented a Wave on vaca in Florida last month, and in light to moderate wind, it was sloooooooooowwwwwww.

It really needed a boom.

There are ways to help you set up a 16 that make it easier, and even in very light wind it moves enough to be interesting. I think if I were to get anything else, it would be an Adventure Island with sails and the pedel drive system. Very flexible for grandkids.

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Steve
2017 Hobie 16 "Cayman" sails 114795
1985 & 1973? Hobie 14 "Sea & Ski"

Thanks for all the GREAT advice! You guys are awesome. This Hobie forum is great! I've seen some good deals on 16's around here in Florida where I live (Tallahassee, Panama City, Penascola area). I think I'll start looking at some 16's. I'll be sure to check for:
-what year? research hull #, correct owner and title ok
-delaminations on the hulls- esp in front (and bad scratches, dings, repairs,
gelcoat cracks, softness around cracks, etc.)
-tramp (esp right & left rear corner castings)
-worn sails, rips, stiffness, battens, clew, etc.
-straight mast
-rudders work good, lock down reasonably well
-check back of boat thoroughly- esp gudgeons
-all wires (bridle, shrouds, forestay, no strands, etc.)
-all ropes (halyard, sheets, etc.)
-blocks, traveler system
-all hardware
-leaks, how much?
-what accessories come with it?
-have owner rig it with me- to check everything

Did I miss anything?? Or am I being rediculously nit-picky here?
Also, can I store the mast outside in back yard along the fence- it
won't fit in my garage (neighborhood restrictions- nothing can be
seen from the road)

THANKS ALL !!!!!!!!
-Drone

i don't think your being nit picky. It is best to know what your getting into before you buy it. It also lets the seller know the you know what your talking about and can get you a better price.

Even if a few things need attention the nice thing about the 16's is everything can be fixed. Mine was a basket case that i brought back to life and there are many other similar stories on this board. Even that could be part of the fun with the grandkids... to help restore a sailboat.

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'73 hobie 16 restored 2011
'00 Seaswirl fishin boat

The mast can be stored outside, however if it has a comptip (top 8 feet of the mast are fiberglass composite rather than aluminum) the comptip should be covered or at the very least, the mast should be stored out of direct sunlight.

Your list covers most of the essentials, however whether or not you find a boat that meets all those criteria will be dependant on how much you're willing to spend.

The most important thing is to check that the hulls are solid. If the boat has soft spots, 99% of the time, I would just walk away unless it's a very small area that I was sure I could easily repair. Soft spots in front of the forward pylons are an immediate cause for concern. After that, make sure all the aluminum components, especially the front crossbar and the mast, are in good structural condition meaning no dents, bends, or excess corrosion. Then would be to inspect the sails and trampoline to make sure they will at least be functional for you for a year or two. Make sure the boat is complete, and finally, give the trailer a good look over too.

sm

Since I live in a place where I don't sail all winter long (water temp 35-38 degrees) I store my mast on hangers on the side of my garage. I do cover the bungees and fittings at one end, but it comes through in flying colors. Been doing this for about 6 years with no bad effects. No comptip though. I also take the tramp off and store in the garage neatly rolled. Should be fine on the back fence.

Thanks reelknotty, srm, and mdgann-

I am armed and ready for battle!! Will start my H16 search ASAP
and keep you updated !

-Drone the Sailor