Singlehanded?

I have owned a hobie 16 for about 5 years now and avidly sailed it for about 3 of those, most of this time was singlehanded sailing. I can handle the 16 well on my own, using the trap lines and flying hulls. I am now looking at buying a used hobie 18. My question is will I be able to singlehand the 18? What is everyones experience, funner, faster than the 16 or should I stick to the 16?

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"Don't take life too serious or you wil never make it out alive".

I loved single handing the 18. Furling jib for when it gets too windy. more forgiving of pitchpoles than the 16. A bit more sificult to set up but a very fun boat.
If you flip its about the same as the 16 to bring back up.

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

I solo my 18 all the time. I would suggest wings, if you can find them. It makes it easier to move your weight around and get it out over the water.
so you can go FASTER

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BrooklynSailor
Brooklyn, NY

I prefered without the wings but thats just preference. If your on long tacks and runs the wings are good but if your doing alot of tacking and gybing they can be a pain.

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

I'll agree with you on that. It's a very good point. I tend to do a lot of longer distance sails with the longest runs possible - sometimes for hours! When you have someone to take the tiller, on the long runs, you can lie out in the sun the wings. I'm the odd Hobie sailor who's really a crusiing sailor with no money!

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BrooklynSailor
Brooklyn, NY

"If you flip its about the same as the 16 to bring back up"

Not sure I agree with that statement unless it's the Magnum wings on my boat that prevent me from righting it by myself. I too used to singlehand a H16 quite a bit and was able to pull it over by myself. So far, I have not been able to do the same with my 18 without the help of a righting bag. Not sure if the wings make any difference unless they are filling with water adding just enough weight to prevent me from solo righting. I do not use a Hobie Bob and my mast is water tight.

Trapezing from the wings singlehanded in moderate wind is an experience to die for!

Tom
1988 H18M

Its just as easy to bring back without wings with wings its more dificult.

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

ME TOO

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Bodhisatfa

With straighter hulls and more hull volume, the 18 isn't as squirrelly as the 16. If you can get help rigging the 18 then the downsides to it compared to the 16 are: 1. heavier, so you'll need help if you have it on beach wheels 2. raising and lowering dagger boards.

On the other hand, if you solo a lot then look into the 17 or FX One. I've not sailed them, but lots of people like those solo boats, and they can be fitted with wings.