a0187885 wrote:
I can't remember the last time I posted on any of the Hobie Forums, but here goes...
I'm with augaug when it comes to time on the water. I've owned two H-18s and loved both, but setup and take-down do take time. Unfortunately, most of my friends are not sailors (those who are have their own boats), so bringing non-sailors to the lake only to have them complain while attempting to help with setup/take down just takes away from the experience for them and me. While I did learn to rig the 18 on my own and can solo an 18, I do think there's a lot to be said for quick setup boats.
I don't own a Wave yet, but I hope to some day. I got hooked when I was in Antigua and was able to use resort boats every day whenever I felt like it.
Yes, a 16 or 18 would be a hell of a lot faster. I have had some pretty fast rides on a Wave, but the get-up & go is nothing like an 18 with a genoa. Then again, with the big winds we get here in tornado alley, a Wave should give a good ride too.
Personally, I'd prefer not to experience pitchpoling. I've capsized and turtled several times in my 18s, and while I've never been injured, the real pain is in righting an 18.
To my knowledge, our local fleet doesn't have any Wave racing, so if racing is important to you, you need to consider what options are available locally. For me, happiness is just being out there and going at my own pace with as few hassles as possible.
In the meantime, I'll keep my eyes out for used Waves. It's tougher to find good deals on them than the others (I got both of my 18s with all the gear & trailers for $1400-$1600 each).
Very solid words, fellow sailor, and highly respected.
(Wow, good deals on your gear, but the Economy in the US and Canada differs).
I got a 2 week late phone call today from the Grabner North America Rep for their line of Inflatable Cats. (I've never heard such a line of nonsense from a fast talking salesman): I quote: 'All that North Americans want is to use fuel to go as fast as they can in a power boat"....wtf, did this 'Sales Rep' have an idea of who he was talking to? Obviously not as the price of their inflatables is sky high. I almost had to hang up on him as we, who aren't fuel guzzling monsters and have spent most of their rec time sailing, don't need this idiotic self serving bullsheit.
The Wave is cool as most of anything that Hobie has put together.
M8, in all honesty, I would almost sell my Mother's soul if I could find a 'gently used' Tri-Foiler at any price.
However, that would be like asking for a slightly used Space Shuttle that has only been blasted off on Sundays by a Little Old Lady from Pasadena, looking for a bit of religion.
Cheers
Tri