sauer wrote:
Hello,
Looking to get into Hobie sailing. I have a background as an advanced windsurfer and kiteboarder, but the only "boat" I've had the chance to sail was a sunfish when I was a kid.
I will be sailing on a medium sized inland lake.
I've done a bit of research, and I'm trying to decide between purchasing a "Wave" or "16"
Forgive me if this has been discussed extensively in prior posts, but I would be very interested in your recommendations.
Cheers,
Ryan
Hey Ryan
I'm just about to buy a Wave or a SmartKat from Europe at a highly 'inflated' price. Yup it's either the Hobie (and I already own a Hobie Adventure Island Sailyak) or a 100 lb inflatable Cat from Austria that can be broken down to 2, 6 foot travel bags for airline travel.
Regarding the Wave, it's a far easier boat to redirect your love for sailing on the minimal. If you have windsurfed and kiteboarded, you may find the Wave a bit tame on the long term, but if you tackle a 16, I suggest that you get someone who can help you through the learning curve. (Recall the first time you lost your trainer kite and got a big kite to pull you up on a plane...)
It's all about what you personally want out of your sailing experience.
To get an idea, maybe a rental for either boat might be a good idea.
On another 'tack' would you buy a horse without giving it a good ride to learn it's personality?
Tri