I've never sailed a 5.8 but after sailing a Hobie 16 and moving to a Hobie 18 everyone has said it is a Cadillac ride, and it is. The 5.8 is faster than a Hobie 18, but put the wings on a 18 and enjoy some comfortable sailing. Take off the wings for racing and in a moderate wind & waves, hang on. Supercharge it with a spinnaker and you can put some miles on them while cruising or have your hands full while racing.

Has anyone else noticed that the Tiger hulls and the Hobie 18 hulls are "similar" ?