Hello, new here with a question.

Linda,
Like I said in my previous post, monohull sailors will denigrate the cats to no end. I am 51 and been sailing both monos and cats since I was 12. I love them both. Cats are great to learn on as any change you make is immediately apparent. They react quickly to inputs. They are fast and never boring. They are definitely more athletic and physical boats. You are close to the water and frequently wet and wild. You can be as wild or mild as you want. I frequently take my wife out sailing and she doesn't tolerate the flying hull bit and we have no problem. When I am with one of my boys or son in law, we are both out on the trapeze and flying a hull whenever possible and sailing right on the edge. Of course once in a while we go over and hit the water with a hoot and a holler and come up laughing with ear to ear grins. I solo most of the time, including putting up the mast and launching by myself. No problems. I really don't understand the animosity from the monohull guys. Jealousy? I love my monohull for camping out on the lake and taking people out for a sunset sail. Or when I need to take 6 people out at the same time. Sorry that this is so long, but it disturbs me that you have been misinformed. I will be out of town camping until Saturday and I'm sure that I will not have cell service where we are going, but call me Saturday night and we will arrange something.

Linda,

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't sail a Hobie 16 solo. As I posted earlier, I bought my Hobie new in '85 and am still sailing it. I am now 75 years old. Two years ago, March '07, I had heart bypass surgery and in June, 2 months later, I was rigging and sailing the Hobie solo again. I get out on the wire and usually don't sail it unless the wind is around 15 mph. When it is blowing less than that I sail my Cape Cod catboat, a monohull so I have the best of both worlds.

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Howard

You said you sailed on a Hobiecat in Mexico and loved it. Most resorts use Hobie Waves. Why not just pick up a Wave and continue the love affair? You should be able to get a pretty decent one for $3K.

Sunvista, I think the Hobie I sailed on in Mexico was a Hobie Getaway because I do remember the extra black tramp. I would love a Getaway, but can't seem to find those used locally at all.

Hi Linda, Don't let anyone discourage you on the hobie. I haven't sailed since I was 18 years old and now I'm 44. I just bought a h16 and was flying the hulls on my first time out. I would consider them a high performance boat compared to mono hulls and a lot of fun. The only thing that makes me a little "edgy" is sailing in gusty conditions (10-30 mph is a recipy for a dunking if you're pushing it solo) as it usually is here on VT lakes. Kinda sucks 'cause I can never relax. But, that's not why I wanted a hobie. Thrills and more thrills! I can't imagine how much fun it would be in a sustained 10-15 solo. There were quite a few boats here in the northeast for between 500-900$ in great shape. Just needed a little tlc. The only thing that is still nerve wracking for me is stepping the mast solo(which I'm doing most of the time). I have a great system but still makes me nervous. Don't listen to the "Monohull Smashmouths"! Hobies are Crackalackin'!!

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"Liquid Plumber's Edition Wave" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z78PozP9dc0

Linda, Keep looking... don't give up. A Wave is an easy boat to sail. Plus they are pretty durable with the plastic hulls and all, you don't need to worry about delamination and such. I've bought and sold cats on Beachcats.com. Check it out. Might need a road trip if you find something you like.

The guy that was selling the redline for $3,000 came down on the price to $2200 or $1800 without the new tramp. Here are updated details:

Newly refurbished trailer (spring 2009) with nice rollers, new lights, new wiring, new coupler, and spare hub assembly. Painted in a tasteful black color.
Solid white redline hulls producing a lightweight fast boat with very few scrapes on the bottom (These hulls have been maintained to produce minimal drag for racing! Like New). New black mesh hobie factory tramp (spring 2009) ($450) allows water to flow through the tramp and the factory mesh is easy on the knees while crossing when tacking. The rudder castings are in perfect working order having had all the internals replaced spring 2009. New mainsheet rope (summer 2009). Eva foam rail kit to ease in trapeze footing and hiking from the rail (spring 2007). Adjustable jib adjustment system. Aussie Style jib halyard.+ more.You will have the choice of two sets of sails white racers or rainbow extreme!

I can at least take a look at it I guess.

Another question: What are the chances and dangers of pitchpoling with the 16? Is this a common flaw?

This is a catamaran thing... not just related to Hobie 16. The 16 is very powerful and has smaller bows than some other cats, so yes, pitchpole is more likely on a Hobie 16 than some other models, but... any cat will pitchpole depending on the conditions and or crew handling of the boat.

Danger? Worst case is being tossed into the rigging. It can happen quickly.

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

There is a recent thread on "My first pitchpole", that is an interesting read.
I am only on my second year on a cat. I pitchpoled this year, when I lost my footing while on the trap and swung out in front of the boat and pulled it over.
My understanding is that pitchpoling is more of a problem in the ocean due to waves. If you watch your hull trim (keeping the hull evenly in the water front & back by shifting your weight) it shouldn't be much of a problem.
I think the new price on the boat makes it a fair or good deal. With or without the tramp, but I would vote for the tramp.
Good Luck

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Alfred
'87 H16 Sail 89907
If you aren't sailing on the edge, you're taking up too much room.

My first ride on any catamaran (just so happened to be a Hobie 16) included the most violent, and quickest, pitchpole I've encountered to date. Both the skipper and myself were slung into the water, hanging on the trapeze wires, like rocks on the ends of strings, the boat following us, splashing down mast first, in turtle position.












Two days later I bought a brand new Hobie 16.

_________________
Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

I wouldn't call it a flaw but it is pretty much guaranteed. It's always unexpected and almost always happens in slow motion. Anyone that hasn't flipped the boat is not a serious cat sailor.

Linda, 84 solid red line 2 sets of good sails 2200 snap it up, best money you ever spend if your determend to get into this incredable sport!!!.Check out the forum on pitchpole, best to keep the mast raked angled back,also your weight to the stern if the wind picks up,another thing is to not lock in your main sheet and use the tiller to vear off!!!...HOBIE cats are a blast especially the h16 solo,crews great,but Linda go for it!!!

Linda -

Three things that I'm surprised nobody has mentioned so far.

First there is "balance", it's the proper positioning of weight on the boat. Very important!
Read up on it and you'll understand.

Second, use the main traveler. Letting the traveler out and sheeting in the main will help dramatically.

Third, the boom, it's named that for a reason. Always wear a lifejacket and don't be afraid of the water.

Hobie sailing is very enjoyable, whether your taking an easy sail or blasting by a mono. Take your time, think ahead, safety first and you'll have an enjoyable sport that is relatively inexpensive and will last for years.

I'm frustrated. I don't think I'll ever find a decent used Hobie 16 here that isn't a million years old.
Also, there is no one who gives Hobie sailing lessons around here. This may have to wait until next year.

Thank you all for your encouraging comments and help. Appreciate it.

Linda –
If you’ve realized this was a fleeting fancy and have decided it isn’t for you, I commend you.

Having said that, I’d counter with the fact that if you’ve ever purchased a new car, you’ve probably spent more money on depreciation in the first year that you’ll ever spend on a descent used Hobie.

If you still desire to find one, you will. Take your time, keep looking, educate yourself on what your looking for and read, read, read.

You should be able to teach yourself sailing. I taught myself years ago and used the same principle to teach my son. Take your time, don’t go out by yourself, and start in low wind conditions.

When I purchased my boat, I had to go way out of my local area several times even after numerous correspondences and emailed pictures to find just what I was looking for. Not everyone sees things the same way… I will say that I felt in the end, the effort paid off as the boat was what I wanted and I was confident in the price and quality.

Good Luck..