hobie 16 vs hobie 18 comparision

What are the differences? I know the 18 has dagger boards and is supposed to be faster but that's it.

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If the grass is greener on the other side, Take to the water!

I'd do almost anything to learn to sail. crew your boat, mow your lawn, date your daughter ^_^

VERY different boats.

H18s have:

Much more hull volume
Symetrical shaped hulls
Deck mounted crosssbars
More sail area

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

Brett , I have both. The 18 may be faster 2 up vs 2up in a blow but thats it. The 18 is also very heavy ,the main is a pain to hook and with its rating of 71 you can forget open class racing.(singlehanded it would be around 69.) I singlehand so I race with my 16 (73.4). How ever that being said The 18 is my main ride and alot of fun in the ocean. On the very rare occasion I take someone with me two full size adults can trap at the same time where the 16 is more of a one man boat. (Full size adult 200lb plus).

If it is for recreation and fun, with two to three people going on it weighing at most 150-170 What would you rather have?

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If the grass is greener on the other side, Take to the water!

I'd do almost anything to learn to sail. crew your boat, mow your lawn, date your daughter ^_^

If you more than occasionally have more than 2 people on the boat, go with an 18.
If the majority of the time will be 1 or 2 people, not of the gargantuan variety, go with the 16...nice and easy to setup and maintain.

I have owned a 16 what a great boat I have sailed a bunch on 18's again great boats except for dagger boards what a pain
My vote to the best boat is the Hobie 21 SE
Best fun all around tough easy fast is the 16 HOBIE
gary

I've owned both also...The 16, even though a smaller boat, is a drier ride than the 18. The 18 will tack on a dime vs the 16, because of the boards. The 16 can be rigged much faster (even by your self). The 18 already has inspection/storage ports to access the inside of the hulls (a big +). The jib on an 18 can be furled in strong wind, not so on the 16. The 16 is easier to beach, with less things (boards) to think about. If you're trying to decide which to buy...don't buy either without taking a ride on both first. They are both fantastic boats and will last a very long time if you take care of them.

Different strokes for different folks. Both are fantastic machines, the 18 on water is easier to solo, on land forget it, need help. The mast is far to heavy for solo etc. The 16 is ideal for solo.

That said I prefer the 18 by far, but no real fleet sizes like the 16/14, a far more forgiving boat. Downside is it needs wind to be competitive to a 16

In 15 knots, to me the 16 is more fun, but the 18 is like a security blanket, it lets you know how far you can push it, plus roller furler. The 16 with roller furler to me is not so good, you need those jib battens. The 18 with battens would be better but impactical.

Above 15 knots the 16 with a reefed main will punish the 18 (solo). My 18 solo I cannot get the same speed as the 16.

Nothing like the bow wave from a 16 at speed. Kinky.

Consider also, where you will sail the boat - lake or ocean. In Florida the answer is easy, ocean. The reason is that the 16 will pitchpole well before an 18 in rough water, and before I get taken to task about how to lessen a pitchpole on a 16, let me say I have more comfort and security on an 18. The only downside, which isn't much, are the 18's dagger boards when it comes to landing, but an 18 can be sailed without the boards if necessary.

16s are cheaper and easier to find; designed with beach landings in mind, so they're tough; still in production so parts are everywhere; easier to rig; easier to push around on the sand; huge racing class. It's a great boat.

18s are smoother sailing and much more forgiving because of more hull volume, and since the hulls aren't curved like a 16 they are more stable. Less prone to pitchpoling than a 16. Heavier than a 16 by, what?, 80 lbs? so you'll need help wrestling with it on shore. Takes longer to rig than a 16, but not that much more. If you find one with wings you're laughing, as wings add a dimension to sailing you can't get on a 16.

If you have to rig the boat each time you sail it then you may want a 16. If you can leave the boat on the beach for the season then I recommend an 18. 16 for solo sailing, 18 if you are more social.

I own both and prefer the 18 by far.

What are "Wings"?

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If the grass is greener on the other side, Take to the water!

I'd do almost anything to learn to sail. crew your boat, mow your lawn, date your daughter ^_^

The sailors in the photo are on "wings." http://www.hobiecat.com/sailing/gallery ... =04&res=lr

I love both boats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, that said in my opinion the 16 is more versatile, in that power to weight is fantastic,and also in very high wind you can still sail the 16 and have fun, all you do is go to shore drop your jib, roll it up, slide it under the foot straps of the tramp ,take the halyard out to bridal chain plate, connect it; tension the boat, reef the main and go out and blow away the crowd on the beach while you jump the big waves .

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Bodhisatfa

Or you could just roll up the jib on an 18 (roller furler)...

Ive owned and raced both and I much prefer the 18. It is just a smoother boat, and overall a better performer.

Both are great boats,the H16 is a lot lighter,less hassle,still in production and a blast solo!!!!. Go for 84 to brand new,harness a must!!!!.

You can NOT reef the main on an 18, if you do as i described above the 16 will sail in higher wind and you will have more fun at the same time.

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Bodhisatfa