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 Post subject: I am 52 and I want a Cat
PostPosted: Thu May 13, 2010 7:57 pm 
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Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Thu May 13, 2010 6:53 pm
Posts: 3
I am 52 and ready to have fun sailing a cat. From deep sea cruising to dinghies and some racing, including on a H16, I have a solid background in sailing. I have not sailed a whole lot in the last 5-7 years. I live in SC and am getting ready to join a sailing club on the lake. I am interested in buying a used H18. I have a wife, 42 with very limited experience and 2 daughters, 16 and 7. I enjoyed the H16 years ago but found the boat somewhat limited and too small. I would like to believe that a H18 would be a better fit and would possibly consider a H21. My goal is to go fast and to have fun but also be able to share with my family without running into too much harsh conditions. I may also go racing from time to time. Can you please help me deciding which cat would be better and let me know if I am out of my mind and be better off buying a longchair. Assuming I am not crazy, please let me know if wings would have a substantial benefit as far as handling of the boat. Thank you all.
Christian


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PostPosted: Fri May 14, 2010 4:42 pm 
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Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2003 7:14 pm
Posts: 461
Location: West MI
Turning 51 in a week. Similar family conditions. I went from a H 16 to a H 18 with wings. Good boat for the family and with the wings removed you can race every now & then with the big boys. Best cat Hobie ever built.

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

dale.vanlopik"at"att"dot"net


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PostPosted: Fri May 14, 2010 9:04 pm 
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Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Wed May 17, 2006 7:49 am
Posts: 1053
Location: North Carolina
46 here and sail a custom Hobie 18 with spin. I also have a nice '84 Hobie 18 for sale in NC. Send me a message for pics if interested, ncmbm at hotmail dot com. I also have wings and really like them, but rarely sail with them. The 21 can be a beast to move around and the mast is heavy.


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PostPosted: Sat May 15, 2010 4:58 am 
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Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 5:40 am
Posts: 463
Location: Metuchen NJ
I'm 55 and started with a H16 in '79, moved to a H18 in '88. Far more stable platform, a bit wetter in a chop, will handle a crowd easily and a great, great boat.

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Chris
'88 H18SE Arís


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PostPosted: Sat May 15, 2010 1:00 pm 
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Joined: Thu May 13, 2010 6:53 pm
Posts: 3
Thanks guys. That is encouraging.


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PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2010 6:22 am 
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Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Sat Jan 24, 2009 9:10 am
Posts: 366
Location: Black Hills South Dakota
I'm 58, strech, and keep your back in shape, oh yea I sail a Hobie 18.

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Bodhisatfa


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PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:58 am 
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Joined: Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:32 am
Posts: 2
Ha,
Maybe there should be an "Over 50 with aching joints Hobie Club". I'm 53 and just bought an 18 for my birthday. Haven't been on one in 35 years so I have little experience. Broke the step up hinge first thing, (now looking at winches) now I can't get the sail down. But I love it! I plan to spend the next month and a half sailing on a lake, learning whatever I can, including how to deal with the frustration of looking like an idiot while sailing into the rocks.
If not now...when?
Nedman


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PostPosted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:12 pm 
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Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:25 pm
Posts: 163
Location: New Port Richey Fl.
Dido. I am 55, started in 79 with a 16 went to 18 with wings in 89 added a spin this spring love it!!! Sail single handed 50% of the time, luckily always buddies around for those oh s__t! moments.

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ADDICTION
1989 HOBIE 18 SE/sx wings
HOBIE ALTER SIGNATURE MODEL


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PostPosted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 12:12 pm 
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Site Rank - Admiral

Joined: Sun Jul 25, 2004 4:46 pm
Posts: 169
Location: Bakersfield, CA
52 years old with 88 Magnum, custom sails from Whirlwind and spinnaker kit from Surf City Catamaran's. Love the setup and couldn't live without the wings! Gives the boat much more room and are excellent back supports when sitting on the hulls. The only difference between my age now and when I used to race 16's back in the late 70's and early 80's is that I sail more conservative now trying to avoid capsizes or pitchpoles whereas in my younger years, I used to do it purposely!

Tom
H18M Windraider


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 6:39 am 
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Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2003 9:22 pm
Posts: 139
48 here and I also sail an 18 SX since 2004. Moved up from a 1979 H16 which I bought used in 1984 and still have. I can lean my back in the wing structure for back support in calm winds or just cruise this way if I have two crew filling the wing seats. Great stable boat.


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 2:17 pm 
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Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:46 pm
Posts: 70
Location: Ft wayne, IN
Pretty much the same here, 53 now but started with a 79 H16 which I still have, got a H 18 with sx wings last year, very nice boat but not sure of the year as it looks like some one might have tampered with the serial number. I sail with my adult daughter most of the time, did get the wife on it last summer and she didnt like the gap between the hull and the wing, of course when she was younger she would trap out on the 16. Great boats and good times.......Jay


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PostPosted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 8:09 pm 
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Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2010 7:13 pm
Posts: 188
Location: Charleston, SC
Im 48 and just started sailng an H18. Used to sail a Force 5 - 20 years ago. Stopped. Now sailing again. Its great and even though I've only had it out twice we love the boat. Will be redesiging the trailer so we can step the mast solo. Great to see all you ("weathered") guys on here too. Get the 18 and have a great time!!

_________________
1984 Hobie 18


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PostPosted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 9:05 am 
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Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:04 am
Posts: 818
Location: Clinton Lake Kansas
I'm 52 and have owned an 18. What a great boat for entertaining, especially one equipped with wings.
Have been looking to purchase another 18. My wife "loved" that boat.
A club venue, with mast up storage, will be ideal. I'm not a big guy (165 lbs.) and stepping the mast was NOT fun with this boat. I'm looking to save my back and lengthen my sailing career a few more years :)

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


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PostPosted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:59 am 
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Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2009 3:24 pm
Posts: 37
Put me in the old farts club too. 52.

Second season sailing 81 H18 with 85 nationals sails.

I second the "if not now when" statement.


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PostPosted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 1:01 pm 
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Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Thu Sep 24, 2009 5:50 am
Posts: 378
Hi Bama, I believe I have the same sails as you. I was under the impression they were called "Prism". Here's a shot of my buddy in front of my old sea cow from the other day (I have since raised the matching jib...and broken a rudder). Cheers!

Image


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