I am 71 years old and have been sailing my Hobie 16 for 20 years. I single hand it often but also carry up to 4, including myself with reasonable comfort. The tramp on the Hobie 18 has less room than the 16 because the jib sheet blocks and the dagger boards on the 18 interfere. I have no experience with the Nacras but have been told that the hulls are thinner and more prone to be damaged than the Hobies. The 16 has a tendency to pitchpole by burying a bow but you learn to keep the crew positioned in those conditions. There also is an accessory tab some people install on the bow to help deflect it up. I asked someone with them who said they work but haven't bothered to get them myself. I bought my Hobie 20 years ago and in that time have had very little maintenance to do. I have replaced rudder cams, shrouds (at most twice), and one jam cleat. The boat has been heavily used all this time. I also own and sail an 18' monohull, a Cape Cod Catboat but when the wind is up I prefer the Hobie.

Howard