As an owner of a Hobie 16, AI, TI, Windrider 17 and a Weta, I can tell you that overall the H16 and Weta are the fastest of the lot under most conditions. The 16 will walk away from the Weta upwind or if there is serious chop, but the Weta is faster downwind under the 3rd headsail and turns much, much quicker than the 16. On a short course or where you need to do a lot of tacking or jibing, the Weta can hold its own with the 16, or better. On longer courses or much chop, the 16's greater length easily gives it the edge. Regardless, the Weta would not be my choice for a family boat at least compared to either the TI or the Windrider 17. You don't have to sail it hard, of course, but I don't find it much fun when sailed slow. It will do 20 knots under the right conditions, and 15 to 16 knots is almost automatic if the wind is between 14 and 20.
Both the Weta and the H16 are fairly easily capsized and/or pitchpoled if you aren't careful in higher winds.
The Windrider 17 has the widest operating range of any of them. I suppose you could consider it the most futuristic of the lot, with its cockpit controls (not unlike the TriFoiler in that regard) and ability to tackle big chop and big wind without leaving the cockpit. It'll also carry quite a few people - easily two and I've had 4 adults out and there was still plenty of room. Only downside I find with it is pointing ability, which isn't spectacular. An asymmetrical spinnaker is available for it as an option for downwind sailing. It's a tremendous boat, as you would expect coming from the mind of Jim Brown. Sure you can capsize it, but it would take a lot to do it. It's just a great boat.
The Tandem Island is about the most versatile boat on the market. It won't carry the same load as the Windrider but you're right down on the water, can take out two adults and maybe a small child, or two, and with the mirage drive you have an option that no other small sailboat offers. I've often said that if I could only have one sailboat, I'd have to keep the TI. There is nothing else that can be camped from, fished on, sailed fast (reasonably) and has so many options such as sail furling to match conditions, ease of transport and set-up and... fun.
|