Hello all,
i have had the unfortunate opportunity to experience first hand what happens when a h16 on the beach meets 70 mph winds. My boat was found 40 yds across the street in pieces!! *sigh* The only real damage done was the corner casting are all broke and one hull in split wide open. The mast has a very slight bend to it, but all the rigging and everything is fine. Oh, and my epo rudders lost there top corner where the bolts ripped out. I guess i have a couple of options. I could always try to find a different hull, but the area i live in doesnt really have alot of hobies just hanging out waiting to give up hulls. Another option is there are two sets of hulls and frames that are abandoned (newer one w/black aluminum with a soft spot area in front of pylon and the other one is '70 and seems fine) that i could salvage. The last one is there is a hobie 17 i think sitting on a trailer behind some guys house that said he doesn't want it and is willing to sell for hella cheap. He doesn't know what it is but it has a traveler track on the sides of the hulls and hull shape has less rocker than an h16 but has the same lip on the top. The mast also has the spreader arms on them. How can you tell the difference between an 18 and a 17? Is a seventeen faster than a 16? I am fairly proficient at sailing the 16 solo in bad conditions, but i don't want a bigger boat if it is slower. How much different is a TheMightyHobie18 than a 16? Are h18s able to be single handed? No idea on sails and stuff as they are in the box that is locked. Any help would be great!! Thanks all!!!

Reid Rechel
Duluth Mn
Lake Superior