Humm,
I did sail all/both and :
Your feet are above the wave action that sweeps along the hull. Less getting your legs washed out from under you.
This is far more a result of the rim on the hulls then off the raised tramp. Why do I know ? Because my Prindle had much the same feeling in this respect as the Hobie.
Trapezing from the rail is drier.
Again, hull rim !
Carpet or neoprene on the rails gives better traction than most hulls. Better footing.
After a little while you could always peel the neoprene of the Hobies with you butt. Carpet ? I'm not even commenting on that. Try self adhesive embossed anti-slip vinyl tape. Keeps working even after years of UV, is smooth so won't take the skin of your limbs, and your rubber footies will stick like glue to it even when awash with water.
In a cat with straight crossbars mounted directly to the hulls (not arched like the 17, 18 and Hobie 21) you will find that the boat is less comfortable to sail in rough conditions. Especially evident downwind.
But let me suffice by pointing out that even Hobie has discontinued their last curved beam catamaran several years ago.
If you place a modern straight beam cat design next to a Hobie 17 or Hobie 18 you'll find that the less tall hulls of the latter boats corrects out for any curvature in the beams. Also the beams on a Prindle (straight even as far back as in 1972) are at the same height as the Hobie 16; reason ? The prindle 16 hulls are significantly taller then the Hobie.
Curved beams and raised trampolines are a thing of the past.
There are no advantages that can't also be had with straight beams.
Wouter
