I have sailed on a Hobie 16 with my dad since I was 8. I am now 28, and take it out all the time single handed. I can even sail it by myself off the trap.

I have never had problems getting help at the launch ramp raising or lowering the mast. I just how my lucky victim how to put the clevis pin through the forestay eye and shackle, and I'm the one raising the mast. One thing that makes it easier. If the prep area is on an inclined surface, park the car so the bow of the cat is pointed DOWNHILL, or take the tounge off the hitch and chock the rear wheels. This will make it so gravity will hold the mast forward and make things a bit easier.

2 points.

1) Make sure you have good hiking straps on the tramp, this will help in lighter wind sailing.

2) Check and double check your trapeeze lines BEFORE leaving the ramp. I forgot once, and was screaming across the bay on the hiking straps, and finnaly got the boat positioned so I could really sheet in and take the entire bay in one tack. Great time to get out on the trap I thought. I hooked up, got out over the side, really sheeted in, I blew by a father and son on their 16, and the son was commenting to his dad how good I was, when the line attaching the dogbone to the trap wire BROKE. and went for a swim.

I got my head out of the water just in time to see my cat gracefully flying a hull with no one on it, past me, managed to grab the tiller extension that had swung back as it was saining past me, and keep with the boat. The only bad part was until I got closer, I kept pulling the boat down wind.

Have fun, and Have a Hobie Day