I am a youth sailor myself and I have not had any problems on the Hobie 16. All the talk I have heard among other youth sailors is to make the Youth boat a more complex and bigger boat. Personally, I think the 16 is a great boat for a youth boat. I do not think any youth sailors would like the idea of a Hobie 14 Turbo as a youth boat. I race the 14 at the frostbite series in Rhode Island and I have noticed that the boat handles horribly with a lot of wieght on it. It should not be raced as a double handed boat which would defeat the purpose of having an easier boat for youth sailors. The youths would have to single hand it which would make it harder for the youth sailor.
<br>In my fleet all the youth sailors learned on Hobie 16s and one kid who only weighs 95 pounds owns his own Hobie 16 and races it. Not to many youths who can sail on their own weigh less than 95 pounds and if the kid in our fleet can handle a 16 any youth should be able to.
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<br>-Todd Riccardi
<br>Hobie 18 #16772
<br>Hobie 14 #194<br><br>