16' 17'or 18

Newbe here; looking at getting a hobie this winter. I'm reading as much as I can. I've looked at 16 and 18 footers. Going to check out a 17' this weekend. I'm new to sailing having only got a Laser this summer, but the hook is set. I would like to get my family on board. primary lake would be lake Michigan after checking myself out on inland water.
Just looking for pro's and conn's

Thanks for the advice

KDJ

If you're going to singlehand with the occasional guest, 16 or 17 would work. Keep in mind that there arent a ton of 17s out there so parts and racing events are harder to come by. The 16 is a ton of fun for 1, 2 or more people, its probably less $$ than a 17 or 18 too!

If you're not too sure about the actual boat once you find one, theres a ton of info here. Be sure to ask around, maybe post pictures of your potential steed and people on the forum can assess it and give you the lowdown.

Good luck and have fun!

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Blair T

I love these calm moments before the storm, it reminds me of Beethoven...


'02 Hobie Tiger USA 1152

I would just go into the 16, 17 and 18 forums and start reading threads. For instance there are several in the 17 forum indicating that the 17 is not such a great boat for more than two people, and maybe not that great for two.

Your needs (single-hand while getting used to it, family on board later on) conflict a bit IMO. The boats all have strengths and weaknesses and you'll be able to read enough to form an opinion. The 16 is a great all-around boat without centerboards. The 17 has wings. 18 had wings on some models and roller-furling jib (which can be added to a 16 I gather).

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'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages

Describe the family and how many total weight of entire crew do you carry a lot of gear
I started with a 14 which got to small got a 16 which got to small ended up with a 21 SE which has never got to small I have carried eight on it with no problens
All around the 16 is a great boat and very hard to beat tough easy to sail and take down yet very high performance easy to maintain and trailer

16.

^Don't listen to him, he don't know anything

The Hobie 18 is the only way to go.
-Furling Jib for solo sailing.
-Daggerboards for quicker tacks, just dont forget to bring them when you go sailing.
-Larger hull volume for more people.

But hey im a little biased...

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1992 Hobie Cat 18 #16943
Hobie Fleet 198, Rapid City, SD

Funny.
My thought was the single handing side of it, but an 18 would be the boat I would rather recreate on if sailing Lake Michigan.

Make an appointment with your nearest Hobie dealer.

I'm partial to the 18 - it's comfortable, forgiving, fast, smooth, durable. If you want to take the family aboard then look into the Getaway, too.

You could do like I have, Start on a 16, discover that most of the family does not like the way it feels, except for my 10 year old daughter. I just acquired a free 14 turbo. This boat is actually in really good shape and really only needs new standing rigging and halyards. This boat will be for my for anybody that wants to learn. And I will be picking up a H18 on the weekend of Oct 17-18 because my wife and son seem to like the way they act/feel more stable. After all, who doesn't need 3 boats

The 16 is a great starter for one or 2 people, but not much fun with more. The 14 should be a great boat for the younger folks to play on and the 18 is an all around awesome boat.

Sam

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Sail Like you Have a Pair
Bluish gray 73 - 83 H16
Super Nice Yellow 84 H18

I won't just say 16 cause I have one and love it.. but I think most will agree, if you are going to solo, it's the boat to do it with. I recon all the bigger boats are fairly hard, if not impossible to right by yourself.

Family size is a factor for sure. I've never had more than 2 people on my 16.. I would potentially take 3 total adults, if the other two were smaller sized... I'm huge, 6'1" 250... so I take up a lot of boat just by myself.

That said, I would trade up in a heartbeat! I haven't flipped my 16 yet (4 years) cause I'm a wuss... so I think I could pretty much handle any of the bigger boats if I side with caution in heavy winds and then I could bring more people along to enjoy it with me!

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1982 H16 (C:\Worthy)
Yellow/White Prism type sails

I do love to solo my 16!!!! I also am very anxious to get my 18 out solo!!!

We have several 4 or 5 18s in our fleet that solo on a regular basis. I have seen 3 of them on their side and righted solo. The trick is in the righting system. They use a glass reinforced ore that is wedged in the dagger well and secured by a line to the upper hull. You than walk out on the ore with the righting line and the extra force brings the boat over in very short order.

Anyway, as I said before, Just get 1 of each

Sam

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Sail Like you Have a Pair
Bluish gray 73 - 83 H16
Super Nice Yellow 84 H18

Hobie 18 with wings. Great for family or single hand. I have had 2 adults and 4 teenagers on board. In a light breeze it is very comfortable single hand sailing from the wings. I have had a 16 and moved to a 18. 16 for racing, 18 with wings for general sailing. You can race the 18 as well, Its just harder to get a bunch together nowdays.

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1989 Hobie 18 Worlds Boat, Magnum Wings & Spinnaker
1987 Hobie Holder 20 #273

dale.vanlopik"at"att"dot"net

Thanks for the input. Got a lead on a 18, also going to check out a 17. I know the 17 is designed for single sailing but for the price I feel I need to look. And still haven't ruled out a 16. Budget is the problem with all of them I would like to start out around $1000-1200. Family is wife who seem to enjoy the Laser, and two 8 year olds. I just want then to learn about sailing and enjoy it as much as I do. Seem's like a sport you can do all your life. Hope to be a cat owner soon.

KDJ

Do 17's have a jib? A chute? something?

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1982 H16 (C:\Worthy)
Yellow/White Prism type sails

Not a stock 17SE.

17 Sport has a jib.