Is a 14 right for me?

I currenty sail a non -Hobie 10ft. cat. . I would like a faster ride!! I am thinking a 14 would fit the bill? I weight 175 and sail sole 90% of the time.
How time consuming are they to rig (my 10ft takes about 5min.) and should I be looking for a turbo 14?
How much faster are the turbos to the standard 14's?
Any advise would be great!

14's right for everybody. Big, small, male, female. No matter. I like it without the jib, but some like it with.
Just do it.

Yeah, the 14 would work for you solo and it would be slow but would also work for you and a light friend.

I can rig my turbo 14 in about 7 minutes if I hurry, it all depends on if I am drinking a beer while setting up or not.

There is a difference between the 14 and the turbo 14 but both will be faster than the one you have. The jib helps with tacking. What is this 10 foot cat?

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

You will become a lot better sailor with the nonturbo. If you can tack a 14 you can tack a rock. I love mine but may be selling it and getting a 16. Can easily rig it by myself and have loved racing it. I'm 6'5" 180lbs and can still fly a hull out on the wire.

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Josh Benge
14 skip
16 skip
20 crew

That is the most accurate decription I have ever heard.

Ive got a 14 non turbo and would add that the boat really has a big wind range which is important if you sail in gusty winds - but I cant compare it to other cats since this is the only one I have much time on. I have heard the non-jib version handles a little higher wind but the jib version is faster in light wind and tacks better. I often get winds all over the place where I sail so am happy with the non jib. I only sail it solo, sail a mono slug if I have company. The perfomance on a reach is well worth dealing with trying to tack it in high winds. I have some method to raise the mast solo (probably search here to get some ideas) and set up is fairly fast - Id guess under 10 minutes for me.

Great boat...

Look, EVERYONE should have a 14. And EVERYONE should bring their 14 to Clear Lake next September!!! I really want to get passed the 40 boat number and 14s are el cheapo this time of year.
Look at the facts: What boat can you go out in 20+ and have fun? (and not die on) What boat never needs crew, can be rigged from trailer to water in under 10 minutes by yourself, and you sail it right up on the beach and not care? Why a 14 of course!!! Yellow, blue, crap brown, purple, orange.......you don't see colors like that on a Tiger!! Talk about self expression......
When you get one, pull off the internet ANYTHING Bob Curry has written about it (roll tack, rigging......) and read and learn and you'll be happy, especially when you figure out how to turn it. Josh is right, if you can turn that quickly, imagine how that translates to your REAL boat.
We have the best time on our 14s in Heavy Wind, just check out the pics from NY mini mega DAY 1. Awesome. I know where there are a few for sale out here in the midwest too.....
Walt, see you next Sept! Only 10 hours to the east on 80!

Just think if HObie still made the 14, there would be some fairly new ones on the market....wouldn't that be nice.

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

Hey, you're another one that needs to come up with all your Div 14 buddies. There are about 6-8 boats from OK/TX/KS/AR that make the trip, you need to too!
It doesn't matter either, my boat is a 72, I am 50lbs over min, and I scored a 4th at NAC. Other than the little guys on really light boats, its whoever make the least amount of mistakes comes out ahead.

Well, when is it?

I don't think you understand that state of my 14... it is rough. I would feel better if I had a new mainsail for it but I am not the one putting money into it now. My close friend is the one who basically owns it now. I think he is going to buy it from me soon.

But I would love to come up and race with you guys, I know I can take the boat any time I want so tell me when something is going on and I will try and make it.

In all honesty the 14 isn't alot of fun until about 15 for me. Every time I get on the 14 I pitchpole. I am used to be able to drive my 5.2's bow under and have them come up. Not the little 14, I just feel like I don't have any boat in front of me on the 14. But it sure is a blast when you are trapped out screaming on a reach just praying that bow doesn't dive.

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

You should definitely go gree! Those guys are gonna put on a good show up on Clear Lake. You'll learn a ton about rigging your 14 to make it sail better for you.

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Sail Revolution
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Bring it up Gree. There isn't anywhere else you'll be able to get on the line with more boats in a one design class other than 16 nationals. Everyone around here has one, and a good portion of them are not that great looking. Alot of spare parts floating around on a lake.

and 15 mph winds a 14 is just starting to get fun!

Well, give me the dates and some other info and i might just make a showing.

Can't promise anything see as I am about to spend 600 bucks on a spinnaker and snuffer rig for my 5.2. But I might try and make it.

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

Spetember 8th?? 2008, check the HCA website.

That is an entire year away, looks like I have some time to practice!

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