Just wondering.....

In the next couple of years I might be looking to replace my 1980 Hobie 18 with a newer boat. For recerational sailing is their a comparable boat to a Hobie 18 with wings? 99% of my sailing is for fun with 1 or 2 crew members (many times a few more). Mostly lake sailing in Southern Louisiana but I usually have 4-5 trips to Gulfshore for "Gulf sailing".

Just wondering..
Todd Hubbell

Hobie doesn't really have anything, they have gone to producing the getaway and the wave, neither of which will replace an 18.
The 18 was a different boat than most of them out there now. Tough, fast, and a blast.

Sure you wanna do this? I often regret having sold mine.

I replaced my hobie 18 with a Nacra 6.0. While it was not exactly a tame beast (it could be), it was still fast and controllable for untrained crew. Maybe check out a Nacra 5.7 or 5.8.

In my opinion the 18 was the last of the truly great multi-purpose cats (some will argue that the 16 is still that, I prefer the 18). Tough and great for recreational sailing (especially with wings), enough performance to make them fun to race. My boat needs have moved on, but if I ever find myself back into pure recreational beach cat sailing I'll probably be looking for a good used 18 again. The current casual boats just don't get it for me (Wave is fun but not big enough).

My advice - keep sailing your 18 until the hulls turn to mush, then find another good used one and buy that. Add some new sails (my 18 really came to life with a new set of Hobie rags), maybe a square top main, add a spinnaker, have fun. Until I see video of a Getaway blasting off the surf in Hawaii that's my advice...

The 18 with wings IS the best recreational playtoy. Keep it dry inside and you'll sail it forever. I added Tiger main, jib and spin to mine. Completely different boat. Also added a self tacker.

The Nacra's are great, I sail one, but they are not as tough on the beach as the 18 was. You have to worry about the hulls alot more.

Do you have any write ups on adding the tiger sails?

I really do enjoy the 18.... If I can find some spare hulls and other parts I think I'll keep it.
Thanks

Keep checking EBay, it's amazing what you can find...

there are threads I posted on this site and on Hobiecat.com forums. Was easy to find sails, etc used.

Second that motion....if you're not after something higher performance with a spinnaker (like a Tiger or other F18), you can't possibly beat the TheMightyHobie18. You might consider a Nacra 5.8 or similar but you still don't have the wings.

Hello all,

I haven't been on here in a while. I'll tell you, I have huge regrets about selling my TheMightyHobie18. And I have not adapted well to the Mono (ssssssllowwwwww.!) So Is an H20 a possible substitute for an TheMightyHobie18? This is what I am looking for in a catamaran:
1.Made to be sailed by 2, but can be sailed by one comfortably
2. Relatively easy to handle (although I feel comfortable that I can grow into anything)I don't mind a thousand adjustments if I can just leave them set until I learn how to use them and don't have to adjust every time I go sailing.
3. Competitive, raceable. I want something that can be raced competitevly but that it is also something we can cruise around in for fun.
4. beachable, sturdy (meaning that I do not have to lay velvet pillows on the beach to make sure the bottoms don't get blemished, and that it won't splinter into a thousand pieces the first time I plow into a wave)
6. fast
8. hot looking (not necessarily like a Ferrari, but nice lines)

Is the Tiger too much boat for this? Can it be sailed one up with the main only? Can the H20?

I had made the switch from TheMightyHobie18 to the H20, big difference. I really liked the 20 but my crew (son) was too little at the time and only kept it for a couple of years. I sailed the 18 for 15 years and it is bullet proof. I hear of guys not letting the boat touch the beach. The very best time I had was sailing in P'cola and drove the 18 from the bay onto the short beach and beyond and just stepped off into the grass (boards up of course!). There is not many boats that you can do that with and return to sail again!

I did sail the 20 by myself but there is a lot more to it than the 18, it can get interesting in a blow if you're by yourself. For cruising there is almost too many lines in the way. Someone is always sitting on a line you need, the 18 only has 2 (basically that is!) The Tiger is basically the same but the self tacking jib is something I wish I had on the H20 as it would have made it easier for casual racing with minimal crew (read small son!).

I think your specifications encompass more than one era of boats. The new sleek and fast boats are not as bullet proof as the older ones, but they are SLEEK AND FAST! Not to mention lighter. Did I mention I toted the 18 around w/o any beach wheels for that time? Yeah, I have a set hanging in my storage for when I get another! Won't do that again!

Good luck,

Clayton

IMO the Hobie 18 is the best and most versatile boat Hobie has ever made.

I hope Hobie Cat Company doesn't destroy the Hobie 18 molds like they did with the Hobie 14.

They don't seem to realize that boats are like women's shoes -- they keep coming back into popularity in cycles. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Did you just say that Hobie 18 sailors are driving old shoes?

Todd,
Sounds like you sail often with more than 2 people on board. The best modern replacement boat to sail with a heavy payload is the Getaway. It's about the same weight as an 18, has the wing option, the hulls are tough, and you can put a bunch of people on board with room to spare. Many sailors don't have experience with the boat, so it's hard for them to recommend it.
If you're coming from an 18, you might long for the power and trap time that the 18 is good for, but the Getaway is not slow by any means and has anoptional trap system. Will you be sailing with kids? If so, there are some good safety features built in, like a boomless sail plan, roler furling jib, and mast float. The mast is easy to raise, and it's very easy to get rigged and on the water in minimal time.
I've had one for demos around the shop since 1999 and people love it. I have sold a ton of these boats in the past 7 years to people that sail them in Santa Cruz, the SF bay and all the lakes around Norcal. Go to your local Hobie dealer and see if they can get you on a test ride to see if it might work for you.

When we see the Getaway do this, I'll be tempted...

I was told that the last 18 nationals had at least one new boat built in Australia. People were very impressed with the boats detail... That may be an option if you want a new boat.

No. I'm saying that if you wait long enough, old shoes become NEW shoes.

Does that mead you won't have to worry about bromadrosis?