Hobie or any other boat.... IMHO, it is rare than anyone walks into any boat dealership and buys a boat off the floor without some experience somewhere.... prior ownership, prior ownership of a similar boat, having sailed with a friend, or having sailed at a resort or at a sailing school..... Should Dealers be expected to teach basic sailing? That's Sailing school stuff. I would expect a certain amount of help/guidance in terms of set up and rigging....
So to expect 'on the water' demonstrations is not the norm, unless you are buying a $700,000 Lagoon 450.
Of the Hobie dealers I have dealt with..... Fogh Marine in Toronto does offer a couple of weekend try outs each year of Waves and Getaways. Last time I visited Tackle Shack in Florida, he offered to put me in touch with one of his beach rental operator/customers so I could rent a Wave or a Getaway, and Nautical Ventures (on the east coast of Florida) does the same. Rob of the Boat Works in Syracuse and Jim Sohn in Des Moines (being very active in their local sailing scene) will likely set you up with one of their customers....which is an alternative I have heard about elsewhere.
Do you have a local club where you can take one out? I have always found other Hobie sailors to be most generous with their time and extremely happy to share knowledge and experience. I suggest you use whatever resources you can to 'grow' your knowledge.
Good winds
_________________ 2015 H16, with spin, SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..." 'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'
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