which hobie cat should I buy

After reading the good advice from the others, I recommend buying a second-hand 16. A 16 should be easy to find, the price should be no more than 3000 Euros, and if you don't like it, then sell it for nearly what you paid.

You are lucky to be able to leave the boat on the beach in front of your house. Once you learn to properly rig the boat you should be able to have it ready in less than 20 minutes.

Also, you must not be afraid to make mistakes or suffer minor injuries, because these things will happen, it's the nature of the boat.

Recepción a bordo!

ok guys thanks a lot for all your advices, I have the experience on a hobie wave, around 2 hours per day during 5 consecutive days, and it was good but I felt the boat was not fast enough !!! even with nice wind.

however before taking the final decision I talked to someone in my club, and he told me that I should better make a training course of 8 hours on a hobbie 16 and afterwards make the decision.

by the way just another important question, PRICES, I've been searching in internet and I couldn't find out yet the prices for the hobbie cat 16 NEW MODEL, can you tell me a good link in Europe where to find prices??

the range of used hobbie cats is really big, I found from 1000 euros up to 6000 euros, but I really don't know the price of a new model.

thanks for your tips on this

Say no more! You've written the magic words! You definitely NEED a 16! Yeah, you're one of us. I had to have a Hobie after one hour of my first sailing experience on a 14 Turbo, and bought a 16 three weeks later (the 14 wasn't fast enough for me) from a guy who upgraded to an 18 because the 16 wasn't fast enough for him.

I studied books, was given a half-hour lesson by the previous owner, and spent the next 10 hours of the day teaching myself. Forget the test ride and buy one because you're 90% ready, and the remaining 10% will come within the first 15 minutes of sailing the boat.

Over here a new 16 is about $8500.

sounds ok, is it worth it to by a new model or should I go for used one.

by the way I feel I need some leasons for a hobby 14, I have some doubts specially when half of the boat starts flying over the waves, is there a term for that in english??


thanks

Yep, it is called flying a hull or awesome! That is one of the most exciting things to do on one of these cats. The boat is fastest when you just barely lift the windward hull but it is fun to hang a hull five feet off the water.

If you have some sailing experience you will not need and lessons for the 14. I bought mine a while back and after looking at pictures and reading on here I had it figured out in no time. These boat are designed so that anyone can sail them, I have let my 10 year old cousin sail my while I just laid on the tramp and hung out. If he can sail on then anyone should be able to.

I hope that you get your boat soon, if you were around this area I would help you set up the first time.

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

thanks for the support.

I am from Spain and I am looking for as much information as possible;

Watch this video, is amazing, that is why I had some doubts I could handle the 16 by myself

http://www.thebeachcats.com/modules.php ... tit&lid=39

by the way, just a stupid question, if I take the hobicat 16 and I sail alone, who on earth is gonna manage the front sail???

The video is a standard pitchpole, you can't sail a catamaran without that risk. Yes, all the bad things of which you hear very likely will happen sometime, but everyone on this forum has experienced these things, too, and we still love the boats, because the good far outweighs the bad.

Solo sailing a 16 you may leave the jib (front sail) cleated most of the time, and focus on the main sheet and tiller. But, in the beginning, it is best to have another person on the boat with you to right the boat in case you capsize.

Just buy a good, used 16 and learn as you go. This is the best way. If you hesitate you will talk yourself out of buying it. After you buy a 16 and if you enjoy it then a new 16 is always available.

I would highly recommend a 16. I have had my 16' hobie since 1985 and sail it solo a lot. It is easier to sail with two but if you are good you can sail solo no problem. The 14 just doesn't have enough sail and you won't get the rush like you will raising hull on a lake with a 16' Plus the resale value of a 16 is better than a 14 is.


Good Luck and raise a lot of hull,

I solo my 16 all the time...

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1982 H16 (C:\Worthy)
Yellow/White Prism type sails

I solo'd a 16 for many years before getting a H17Sport. For soling a 16 you will need a righting aid (powerpole, water bag, etc.). The 16 was great fun and excellent for high flying and the tramp is way up off the water. The 17 is better for pushing in high wind, pointing, fast broad reaches. The wings make great back rests in light wind and let you get your weight out without trapping. The 16 sets up in about 30 minutes and the 17 in about 40. With either you will have a great time.

Why did someone revive this thread from three years ago?

LOL, didn't even notice that when I replied... wasn't me though!

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1982 H16 (C:\Worthy)
Yellow/White Prism type sails