Sounds cool. How old are you?
I had a 16 for a year then I moved to an 18 for a year and then bought another 18 and sold the other.
I just sold the 18 and am planning to buy an Inter 20 or Hobie Tiger in the spring
So are you planning to race eventually? Obviously its not a must but it is so much fun. I'm sure there is some racing in your area.
I learned alot about the 18 as I learned to sail on them and have been sailing them for 5-6 years and raced them for two. I went all over with the boat. Although ugly it was a great, very fast boat. Anyways... great to hear your having fun and you plan to start sailing the 18. I also have a nice little 14 that I race all winter in Newport, RI. The hobie 18 performance manual by Phil Berman is a great source for hobie 18 information. You can get it through Murrays Marine (www.murrays.com)
Again, i'll make a post soon to start some kinda convo I just am really busy with college applications and school (fun stuff about being a kid right)
-Todd