Should I get a 14 Turbo or an Adventure Island?

I am a novice sailor. I took an ASA course and have been sailing on a friend's boat for a few regattas, so I have the basic idea.

I would like a boat that I can single hand. I want something that is easy to trailer, set up, enjoying sailing, and then get back on the trailer and go home. I live near Corpus Christi, so would sail on Corpus Christi Bay, or go out to Port Aransas and sail around the area of the Light House, and maybe out the jetties and into the Gulf of Mexico when it isn't too rough. I would obviously take it one step at a time and try to stay in calm waters in the beginning. As I figure things out I could take on the open Bay or the Gulf. But, the area around the Light House stays calm and it is fun to watch the dolphins.

What would be the pro's and con's of an Adventure Island or a Hobie Cat 14 Turbo? I can find good deals on both of these. Someone told me that I shouldn't get a 16 right away if I plan on single handing it. I think I would have a lot of water thrown on me all the time with the Adventure Island, but it might still be a pretty fun boat. I think I would learn quite a bit more about sailing on the 14 Turbo. I wonder if it would get uncomfortable sitting on the trampoline of the 14.

An Adventure Island would allow you to sail or use the boat on every possible outing due to the MirageDrive and furling sail features... and of course the MD gets you back to the trailer if the wind dies. You can simply pedal or pedal and sail if the wind if light to nothing. VERY stable and forgiving. Handles heavy winds well.

Hobie 14 (or even Wave) would be really fun in winds of 8-20 or so. Lighter to no wind... not really that much fun.

Hobie 16 is a bear to set up single handed, but REALLY fun sailing in light to medium winds. It would be harder to right if you capsize.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

In terms of speed, how would the Adventure Island compare to the Wave?

I am pretty sure the H14 Turbo would leave them both behind.

I know I said I was considering a 14T and AI, but I can't leave the Wave out of the mix either.

In terms of a fun and versatile boat to take out and sail alone, I suppose those would be the main three to consider.

I know there are a lot of people using the AI for fishing. I don't know how practical it would be to try to fish out of the H14 or Wave.

As far as being easy to set up and break down, would the Adventure Island be the easiest?

Another question: If I have the jib on the H14, how difficult is it to handle the sheets when tacking? I know with a sunfish it is simple to push the tiller away, slide over to the other side of the boat, and then catch the tiller. How is this done with the Hobie 14 Turbo?

Depends if you want a sailboat or a very cool kayak. The 14 is a entry level single person(for most performance) sailboat. The AI is a very cool kayak that can sail very well also IMHO. Both have their place, you should think how you want to use each before you make a choice. My first hobie was a H18, a hand full at first,but so glad I haven't had to get a different boat as my family grows. I say get the 14 or better yet a 16. But there's really not a wrong choice as long as your out on the water. We need more sailors.

Depends on what you want to do. The AI isn't a high performance sailboat, but it does offer the sensation of speed due to it's size and height above the water. It's also exceptionally versatile and allows you to do a myriad of things such as camp, explore, sail, travel, etc. It's a very versatile boat.

Now if you just want to rip around and have a blast, I'd probably steer you towards the H14 turbo, or even a 16 (you can depower a sailboat when starting out).

The two boats are so very different it's hard to give a definitive answer without some very narrow criteria. Of course, there is also the option of buying both...

Most of the videos I see online of people sailing H14's or H16's look like the sailors are really working hard. Is it possible to kick back, relax, and get comfortable while sailing one of these?

Sure, you have the ability to depower the sail - undersheet and relax.

You have a similar situation on the AI, with the exception that Hobie has designed them so that the sail they carry doesn't easily overpower the boat. The cats are much more easily overpowered as they're built for speed, if you want it and can handle it.

I have seen those rails that people mount on either side to sit on. That looks like it would be a lot more comfortable. How difficult are those to take on and off.

Is sitting on that trampoline comfortable when you are just loping along watching the pelicans and dolphins?

(Very newbie question)

"Wings?" Those can only be mounted if the hull has been built for them.

I'm sensing from your comments that you might not want the excitement and effort that a cat requires. The AI may indeed be the better boat for you.

I want to have my cake and eat it too. I want to rip across the bay and not only watch for the dolphins but actually have them jumping up beside me. In Port Aransas that is a very realistic possibility. Then I want to slow down and putz along and watch the sun set while drinking a beer. Then get the whole thing back on a trailer and go home. Which boat is best for that?

How much do you weigh? I bought a 14T to single hand and solo right (I also have a 16). At 200 lbs it was hard for me to keep it balanced and was quite unforgiving when the leeward hull started to dive. The 14T was just not enough boat for me so I sold it after one season. I have unlimited access to a Nacra 450 which I enjoy solo sailing now. The 450 might be comparable to a Wave. IMO the AI is more like a kayak than a sailboat. I see them in out in steady wind but they don't ever seem to be moving very fast. I've never seen an AI on a trailer. Not sure how that works. Seems like there ought to be a roof rack for that.

The boat you want may be a Windrider16 or 17. They're reasonably fast (82 handicap if I recall correctly) and very easy to control. And they'll handle very heavy/rough water and high winds with aplomb. Takes about 15 minutes to rig and launch one from a trailer.

The Islands are faster than most people think - they will easily run up over 10MPH and can push towards 13 or 14 without being overly difficult to handle. But they aren't going to be the thrill machines that most cats or performance tris are.

Thinking rigging time... single handed.

AI: 5-10 Minutes (little effort)

H14: 30-60 Minutes (medium effort)

H16: 40-60 Minutes (Most effort)

Moving on / off a beach

AI: easiest

H14: medium

H16: considerable single handed

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I weigh around 165.