Questions price/ singlehand?

Hey sailors

I'm new in this Forum.
I'm sailing since a few years on my fathers sailing boat, but I always was fascinated by the speed of the cats, now I decided to get one.

I've read that the 17 is the better singlehand boat than the 16. Is it possible to sail the 16 alone (with only the mainsail?)?
I would sail it about 80% alone.

Could please tell me what a 1997 Hobie cat 16 is worth (in good conditions), there's an auction going on, right now the price ist around 1600 dollar (starting price).

I also have an offer for a 1993 Hobie Cat 17, also in good conditions, the seller wants to have 3000 dollars for the Cat, fair price?

Thank you
Greetings from Switzerland
Chriss

I sail my 16 solo with main and jib all the time! It's not a problem at all. I'm 6'1" 250... I have no problems handing it by myself.

Until which wind speeds can you sail the boat singlehand?

If I converted correctly (into kg) you're much heavier than I am, that's why I asked if its possible to sail with the jib only, is it manouverable with only mainsail?

Thanks
Chriss

Swisscat:

17 is a fun boat. You can rig it as both uni and sloop. I race uni and sloop with grand daughter. Her are some changes I have made. If you have any questions, email me. I can use the reacher up to about 15 to weather. I didn't like the stock jib.

http://www.thebeachcats.com/modules.php ... _album.php

Doug Snell
dsnell4 at houston dot rr dot com

Just sail with the jib, the boat loses a lot of maneuverability without the jib because it becomes much harder to tack.

But I have three friends with 16's and they all solo them while I solo my 5.2 so I would say that it makes a great solo boat.

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

Gree2056:

The trick to tacking a uni is you MUST crack off some main sheet as you go head to wind and you MUST have good speed and be closehauled and mainsheet tight going into it.

Doug

Thanks to all

@DougHobie17: Very nice pictures, now I just want to go sailing.

What do you think about the prices, how much is the 16 worth?

Chriss

I know, but it does make it harder to tack. I sailed a 14 for a while and still get out on it every now and then when the girlfriend isn't sailing it. I say that if you can tack a 14/16 without a jib you can tack anything!

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

Prices look OK. Is the 17 a Sport? Does it have it have a jib or just the main sail.

Doug

The cat has a jib with roller furler, he said the sails are made of Mylar (dont know if standard).
A little trailor to slip it is also included.
But I think I can drop the price a little bit.

What would be a fair price for the 16, its an auction (ends monday).

Thanks
Chriss

Don't know much about 16's. All the newer sails are mylar. Be sure to check for delamination in sail (as in clear part separated from color part). As in small trailer to move it on, do you mean cattrax or something homemade? To race class legal you would need to buy new bridle setup. Are there any other 17's in you area? If not just keep it as is and race in Open Class. The 17 is a good boat for single sailing and a HOOT in 18 mph and up. Can also handle extra people for fun sailing. Thanks for comment on pics. I have worked hard to make it nice. Ashleigh loves sailing on it.

Doug

In general these small catamarans are rare in Switzerland.
Actually i'm a catamaran beginner and have not thought about racing, but who knows what will happen .

[/quote]The 17 is a good boat for single sailing and a HOOT in 18 mph and up.[quote]

whats your singlehand speed record?


Thanks for the help
Chriss

Maybe 26-30 mph. Race even if you come in DFL (last). It will make you a better sailor. Get these, they will cut three years off learning curve. Chapter in book on both 16 & 17. CD is a steal at 1/3 off. I paid the full $149. Learn Boat handling and Roll Tack till you know it in sleep.

http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg= ... jnrorrrrg4

http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg= ... =jqcmhpjpe

Doug

Hi swisscat. I've sailed both H16 (20 years) and H17Sport (4 years) and mostly solo. The H17Sport is the best and fastest of the two for solo sailing (I've had mine up to 30.5 mph and into the mid 20s several times). The H16 is quite fun to sail solo, but you need righting assistance when flipped (I used a righting bag with a 4:1 tackle). I always sailed the H16 with the jib (I had an older boat, 1979, without the furler). If it was really blowing, I'd put a reef in the main (the older boat mains, pre-comptip, could be reefed) and track the main out a few inches leeward. I would also track the jib all the way out and sheet the jib in just enough to keep it from flapping. As for the H17Sport (I have a 2000), I sail with the jib up to ~ 20 mph, then furl it in higher winds. I also really like the wings, allowing me to get my weight out further without needing to trap (I'm 53 and don't trap near as much as I used to). I can also drive the boat harder off the wind with less chance pitchpole (I use to pitch pole the H16 4-5 times a season, the H17 about once/season). Hope this info helpes .

Fastcat:

Tell Swisscat about your new Squaretop and how sweet t is on the 17. I think it is the BEST single sailor boat there is with it. Portsmouth rating is really good if you nail the starts. Tell Chip he owns me a gift certificate to Chili's for all the referrals I have given him.

Doug