BillFollyBeach wrote:
Live in the Charleston SC area and thinking of buying a Hobie 16 or a Wave. I had a Hobie 14 when I was growing up. I had a Wave 8 years ago while living in Hilton Head Island. I want to buy a sailboat that I can grow into.
My question is/are:
1. Can you start/learn on a single handed 16 without using the jib to make it easier to learn/handle? I have read that there is a balance issue without the jib.
The jib is pretty easy to manage single-handed. My first boat with a headsail was my 16 and I was singling it by the fourth time out. It's not as fast without someone running the jib for you, but it's still easy and quite a fast boat.
Quote:
2. How hard is it to handle a 16 single handed starting out?
It's not too bad. Every sheet/control line can be cleated off, so the only thing you need to keep your hands on 100% is the tiller, and you don't even really need that full time. It's definitely safest to sail with the mainsheet uncleated whenever you can hang onto it though. You can buy clamps to hold the tiller in place as well.
3. Anybody have an experience in sailing differences between a 16 and a Wave? How much harder is it to handle a 16 over a Wave?[/quote]
I don't, sorry.
I will say that a 16 is a great boat to grow into. It's simple enough that one can pretty easily solo it with a bit of experience, but incredibly fast with good wind and a good crew. They move really nice in just a breath of wind, which can make gaining experience really easy.