Barren wrote:
...something in slip or on a plug that I can use to "go places".. and to "entertain" on. I've taken people out on the Hobie and they have a blast, but it's a one at a time type of experience, where if I had a small mono, I could take a handful of people out on the water. Plus, having a motor to get in an out of harbor would be amazing!
Very well said. I too love my Hobie and doubt I will part with it unless it's to upgrade it. Having a single-hull will allow you many comforts that you just can't get from a beach cat though:
-Shade (from a bimini or inside the cabin)
-A head you can use while underway
-Multiple beds
-A fridge or ice chest that can carry food and/or drinks
-A stereo
-A stove and maybe an oven, too
-Storage space for whatever you may need
-Seats. Yes, seats... and more than just one extra seat.
Keep in mind, just like anything alse, you have to sacrifice comforts for speed. A Lamboghini only has 2 seats, and I don't think they recline much.
I have toyed with the idea of making a tow rope to pull the Hobie (with sails stowed) behind the single-hull and run the tow-rope through PVC pipe to prevent the cat from rear-ending the larger boat... kind of like pulling a dhingy.
People buy motorboats to travel to the funnest place to be. When you travel by sailboat, you're already there.
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Fair Winds and Following seas,
Scott