If you could get just one boat?

Hello everyone,

I am a new sailor, in fact have only had a few dinghy lessons, but I've read everything I can find on catamaran sailing and sailing in general. In a few weeks I'm taking some private lessons at a local sailing school on the H16.

I want to buy a boat that is going to be THE boat; not a starter boat, not something I will need to upgrade. I want a boat I will not get bored with. In short I want the best boat I can buy for what I want it for.

I am 6'0 250. I will be sailing singlehanded about fifty percent of the time and have another person with me the other half of the time. Also, there may be the odd occasion when we would have a couple friends with us. Basically will be using the boat for recreational purposes and island hopping here in the Puget Sound area, and would like the room to take some camping gear on the boat.

Not really interested in racing, but going really fast when my skills are up to the task would be nice!

I have enough to buy a new 16, but I have a few questions and your knowledge and brutal honesty would be greatly appreciated:

Is a 16 appropriate for what I want it for?
Would a T2 be a better choice?
Is a 16 a stupid choice for a novice?

Thank you all in advance for any advice you can give.

I don't think the boat you are looking for exists

Hobie 16 would IMHO be the best choice if you sail solo - you can right it by yourself, setup is quick and easy, and it will be plenty fast. But since you are 250lbs adding a couple of adults will really slow it down and there is a limit to carrying capacity as well.

Tandem Island only fits 2 people and speed is pretty limited.

Hobie 18 would be a better choice for multiple people, however single handing is challenging, especially if you are just starting out. You will need a righting aid, and setup / stepping the mast is not easy solo either. But with this boat you have lots of room to learn...

Hobie Getaway might be a good compromise giving up a little speed for extra carrying capacity.

Because of the above I have 2 boats - a H16 for solo, and a H18 with company... maybe you should consider that as well

I think the H18 would be the best all around choice for you. It is much better suited for your weight, as it does have a lot more buoyancy than a 16. The 16 doesn't do well with more than 350-400 lbs on it, and while the 18 prefers to be under 450, it can handle up to ~600 and still sail okay (I've sailed mine with anywhere from 150 lbs solo to 725 lbs fully loaded). The 18 is somewhat more tunable, slightly higher performance, and also a little more forgiving (handling-wise) than a 16 - it's much more difficult to dig in a bow. I think that the 16 and 18 both have a lot of room for growth and performance. You can figure out the basics of how to sail one of these boats in a few outings, but to master it will take years.

I single hand my 18, and it is a handful when the wind is strong. If winds are under ~12 mph, I know I can handle it just fine on my own (which is mostly based on how well I know my boat). More than that, or if it's very gusty, and I won't solo sail. It takes 295 lbs to right a Hobie 18. Any less and it won't happen. I can keep from capsizing in lesser winds without too much trouble, but things tend to happen quickly and the boat likes to fly when the wind is up.

I didn't solo sail until my second year with the boat, and wasn't comfortable with it until the third year (when I got better at trapezing solo). If you really want to push it solo, there are several designs on the forum for a "solo righting arm/stick" that can be built for ~$100-200, so I wouldn't avoid the boat just because you want to sail solo.

Another advantage to the 18 when bringing friends along, or even sailing alone - wings. They're expensive ($750+) and hard to find (no longer in production), but they really open up the boat and add a lot of room, and make it much more comfortable to sail.

Mast stepping is difficult solo I think for any boat, but if you can get a passerby to give you a hand it's not so bad. The 18 is a little tricky because the diamond wires make it awkward to lift. I don't risk solo stepping, too easy to lose control of the mast and hurt yourself or damage the boat/surrounding vehicles.

The Getaway has many of the same features of the 18 (including the buoyancy), but is a bit less powerful overall. It might be better to learn on and to solo sail, and still has room for more people - a little more buoyancy than the 18, I believe. Righting solo would probably still be a challenge. Wings can be installed on the getaway too. Personally, I just don't like the roto molded plastic hulls. Fiberglass is far stronger and more durable.

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Mike

'79 H18 standard 'Rocketman II' sail #14921 RIP
'78 H18 (unnamed) sail #14921
'08 H16 sail #114312
'97 H21SC sail #238

I think the Getaway might be a consideration, has all round good speed, can be single handed even in higher winds. Accommodates 4 adults and with only two people on board you could carry a fair bit of gear. There are several company's that make tents specifically to fit on catamarans.

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

I would second the 18 as the best compromise. Being about the same size and weight, I find the 16 a blast solo, but I hate the idea of having another person on board. If I have another person, I'll take my bigger boat every time. The 16 is crowded with two large-ish adults, and unless you have really good wind, it is not nearly as lively.
The 18 is a lot of boat solo, and you would certainly need a hand righting it. I would avoid taking it on the sound without some kind of support.

Solo, you can't beat the 16.
The 16 is a great boat to learn sailing, and it should keep you entertained for years.
4 adults really isn't a great idea.

The 18 for a new sailer is a lot of boat, and without special provisions, it is near impossible to right by yourself.
It will take 4 people sailing and is amazing with 2.

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Todd
Hobie 21SE
Bellingham, WA

I think you are describing a Getaway. There really is no perfect boat for your requirements but if you give up some performance you will get basically everything else you wanted with the Getaway. And the Getaway is still faster than a non-cat of similar size. The solo sailing and ability to take 4 people is a tough range to handle. An 18 would work if you wanted 2-4 people, I think the 16 will be to small. You could buy a used 16 or 18, sail for a year and then sell it for what you paid for it; if it turned out to be the wrong boat. Or if the discover the 16 is th right boat, sell yours and buy a new one. I went from a 16, to and 18, then to a 21 as I needed a bigger boat.

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Scott
Hobie 18 w/wings
Hobie/Holder 12 Funseeker
2 Hobie Waves
Tandem Oasis Kayak
Hobie 16
Southern California

Run away from the getaway if you want sporty performance. It is a neat cruiser, but doesn't get your heart racing. Slogging around with a few people is perfect with the wings and front net. Just not inspiring excitement

H16 is a boat you don't grow out of. At 250 it is a great solo boat if you want to bash waves, fly hulls in moderate winds 9mph+. An exciting & hard to screw up boat. Adding more people than one other adult will be dull for basic cruising. Agree with other comments that you buy used and if it doesn't work you resell at the same price in a year or two. When it blows over 15, great to add an extra adult <200 lbs

H18 is a speed machine! Little more complicated w the dagger boards and sail tuning. Sits lower on the water than a H16 so it is a wetter ride in heavy conditions. W 2-3 people it is better than H16 for cruising. Solo it is a little more work... Finding a good used 18 is more difficult than finding a 16 that is ready to sail w/o much investment

Have both a H16 & H18. Solo on the 16, tandem more fun on the 18.

Go H16!