New here from Austin, TX

Hey all,

I've been reading posts going back many months even years here trying to get a sense for what to expect when I go looking for my first used Hobie.

But, first I wanted to check with you to see if you all to see if you agreed that the Hobie would be a good boat for our family. We're looking for a boat that will provide us years of fun out on the lakes around Austin and down on the coast of Texas near Corpus Christi.

We've got two kids (8 and 10) who I would like to teach them to love and respect their time on the water as much as I do, but my brother seems to think that we'll be overcrowding the boat with the 4 of us. Now, I'm only looking at a single Hobie 16 for now, but I expect that when the kids get older we'll become a 2 Hobie family.

So my first question is do you think with our kids at this young age that we'll be able to enjoy the Hobie with 4 of us on board. Now we won't always be together on the boat, I think most of the time we'll be sailing it two at a time, but at least initially I think we'll all hop on it together.

Second Question is does anyone know a good contact for me in the Austin or Houston area who may be able to help me find a good, reasonably priced, used Hobie. I live in Austin, and my brother (the full time sailor) lives in Houston.

Thanks,

Matt

PS - We spent a week in the BVI this year with our kids and we loved every minute of it. That's why we're looking for a fun recreational sailboat like a Hobie.

Hi Matt, Have you ever been out on an H16? You might want to try renting this one for a day, and see how you like it.

http://us.zilok.com/rental/132308-hobie-16.html

Hey Matt,

I often have 4 adults on my 16 and it works fine, you just lose a lot of performance. For true fun, you need a little more wind than normal and with 4 on board you can forget about flying a hull, but its still a blast. Of course the true fun begins when there are only 2 on board and there is steady wind to fly a hull while trapped out. I found my H16 on Craigslist from a guy in Cedar Park.

_________________
'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

Awesome! Sounds like I'm looking for the right thing then. Now I just need to find someone in the Austin, Tx area that could be my mentor for finding a good used hobie.

I don't know anyone in Austin, even tho my parents currently live there. There are however several very good Hobie sailors in the area.
Give Mariner Sails in Dallas a call.
http://www.mariner-sails.com/
Everyone there is very knowledgeable and helpful.
They should be able to steer you to someone in the Austin area that can help.
You are definitly on the right track wanting to hook up with someone that has been around Hobie's a bit before actually spending your hard earned money on a boat.
Best of luck

Stephen

_________________
If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

Matt, Stephen Acquart lives in San Antonio...maybe 70 miles + or - a few from you. He's an excellent Hobie racer / sailor and very active with Hobie events around the US. He's also with the fire Dept. If you can get in touch with him he might be of help.

Matt,

as you look for a boat, include the Getaway in your search. Fewer of them out there and they might run you a little more, but they do better with 4 people on board than a 16 does. Also the wing option is great.

Have fun!

_________________
2001 H16E (European Boat) Sail #108348 Cabo
Club Wave
1991 H14T (Crushed by a Tornado)
2006 Bravo (sold)
1986 Hobie 16 (sold)
1981 Hobe 16 (sold)
1980 Hobie 14 (sold)