H-18 SX vs. Tornado 20. Need help.

"Bench Racers" I am offended by that term... I am no where near even getting to set on the bench. Hell I didn't even get to try out, but I do know a few things about cruising around a lake.

The T is a big and most likely to much boat for this guy or most of the guys on this forum, but it would be a blast. The 18 on the other hand is about the same as my 5.2. Which is a great boat and should also be alot of fun, and can be a very competetive racer when sailed well.

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

Now what you need is two benches...and a crossbeam...and a good size mast and sail. Then watch those benches fly across the lake!!

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Tim
Unofficial Fleet 72 Communications Officer and Div 4 Webmaster
http://www.hobiefleet72.org
http://www.div4.hobieclass.com/

I realize the T is way too much boat for me--what I should be getting is a Hobie 16--but I know my limits and feel I have the experience necessary to handle it. By handle I mean get around without pitchpoling and capsizing all the time.

And it was AWESOME. For a '76, it is in GREAT shape. The hulls were MUCH stiffer than I expected, and the sails are in great shape as well (2 mains, 2 jibs). The owner even got a set of $600 custom rudders as well (which--sorry guys-- work better than any stock Hobie rudder).

I'm going to bring a few friends to pick it up next week. It's been sitting outside for some time, so it needs a little bit of cleaning, but no big deal. Should take a couple hours to get her out sailing (and looking great).

I'm PSYCHED!!!

if you plan on alot of sailing and beach landing the 18 is the only way to go. tornadoes are nice and fast but egg shell fragile. also as difficult to rig as attiger and a pain to trailer. even on a tilt trailer which will be more than your boat will cost its 45b min just to lock down and tilt the trailer. also towing a tilt trailer it catches alot of wind if you have a cross wind behind a small pickup the trailer will change lanes

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Rich Vilvens
F-18 5150
[email protected]
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/f-185150sailing/

Way to go Gree, you just talked Winnie into go an killing himself on a Tornado. Winnie what did you pay for her? I'm jealous, this reminds me of like going to auto lot intending to buy a minivan and you come back with a Vette.

$1200.

It was a GREAT deal.

Just curious. Is it the original tornado rig? Pinhead main, or is it the T-2 rig with an Square top main, and spinnaker?

Keep in mind to race this competitively, you will prob. need to throw thousands more to upgrade the rig.

Though on the other hand, I haven't seen any SX-18s at any regatta, and to race against an original 18, you would have to get a new mast and sails. So toss up there.

Though towing the Tornado, is going to be a hassle.

Oh, he won't kill himself and if he doesn he gave me the rest of the boat in his will...right?

I am very jealous that you got the T, I would love to have one, even if they are a pain. I am constantly trying to make sailing more of a pain for myself, started with a 14, went to the 5.2 and am now adding a spinnaker to the 5.2. I just need more strings to be happy.

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

Gree.

You could always get a TIGER, FX-ONE (Single handed with cute.), or if you wanted that 10 foot wide PITA cat, get a H-21SE...

Oh, that will be the next step, I really like the FX-1 and the Inter17 but both of those are a little out of my price range. Also there is a Javelin for sell here in Oklahoma cheaper than I would ever expect to find one, so if I can find a way I will buy it.

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

Original rig: single trap, no chute, normal (round?) sail head.


I don't plan on racing this particular one. If I ever get good enough to race, I will probably find a newer T. Plus, I have too much fun flying (and flying hulls) to sail with any real strategy yet. I just need more time on cats for that feeling to subside.

Finance it. Everyone else does.

I know that is an option but I would hate to go into debt this early in my lfe. I would like to find a way to save up enough for it, but I just don't see that happening anytime soon. That finance option sure sounds good!

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

This early in life? Jeez..... I took out my first loan at 16. I think I've had 1 year since then where I haven't had at least one loan. The worst was having a truck, sportbike, 4 wheeler, and a personal loan all at once. The only good thing about having debt is that it gives you a reason to get up and go to work. The less debt I have the less ambitious I am about working.