Hey all,

I am experienced in canoes and kayaks with varying degree of rocker, but I have noticed that some Hobies, and maybe others, seem to have a great deal of rocker in the hulls. What role does rocker, or lack there of, play in the performance of a catamran? I am currently looking for a cat and I have my eyes on 2 Hobies. One, a 16, with a lot of rocker and the other, an 18 with little rocker.

Thanks,

Walter...............still looking.

I think rocker makes the boat turn easier. Where's Bill Roberts been lately?

D. Ho
TheMightyHobie18 1067

H16's are strange beasts, being so narrow with a lot of rocker, so you probably shouldn't compare it to other classes. The whole apples and oranges thing.

But yes, rocker pretty much only affects manoeuvreability on standard boats. Although on the H16 it also helps to limit leeway angle by getting the leeward hull deep into the water and also allows a clean separation at the stern.

But it really doesn't matter because you should only get a H16 for one design racing against other H16's. There are better boats out there for mixed fleet racing (my personal opinion, please don't flame me.)

AARRRGH!!!!! My posts keep dissapearing!!!!

At any rate, I assumed the same was true for cats, just to make them more maneuverable. I am still looking for a used cat and came across a very nice Hobie 16. I also am looking at a Hobie 18 whiich appears to have much less rocker. Between these 2, which would be more appropriate for a "beginner" family of 3 to use mostly on area freshwater lakes?

Thanks for your responses,

Walter

Dunno what's better for you.

Try to sail both boats...........PITA but a cleaver thing to do in the long run.

The 18. The 16 is too weight sensitive for three people.

Get the 18 and a set of wings, add a spinnaker. Very nice party barge.

Repeat of lost post:

Buy the Hobie 18--better design, better for 3 people, more forgiving and easier to sail, safer, more comfortable, etc--I've owned Hobie 14, 16, and 18--the 18 is by far a superior design.

Sure, thousands of people have learned to sail on the Hobie 16, and it is a fun boat and a little simpler to rig. But without getting into a very long, long discussion on the differences in design, let me just say, BUY THE HOBIE 18 and enjoy.

I had Hobie 18 number 135--that's goes way back...

wow....135? no comment (beyond what I already made). <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Seriously though, the Hobie 18 gets my vote here too. I had one for a while and although it was a pretty beat up and neglected boat, I really enjoyed it every single time I took it out. With three people on it, the boat is a blast and not crowded at all. I've sailed with other 18s with 7 people on them (although that's not recommendable).

The 18 is the way to go if you are going 3 up. It is slightly heavier to move around but as long as you have help, not bad. It has completely different shaped hulls, not just the rocker but much fuller the entire length, and the daggerboards make it steer much better too, easier for a newbie to get used to, just remeber to pull them up before you run out of water.

the rocker seems to corespond to the amount of v in the hull. the 16 with the v type hull is for sailing in the surf and seems to need all that rocker to do the job it does. you will find the 18 has more rocker than the faster course racing cats. the 18 being shaped by a surfer to be sailed in the surf, but with daggerboards and a rounder bottom shape.
the flat bottomed spinaker boats seem to have pretty flat rocker forward with a rocker knuckle aft, which in a way seems backward, but it seems to work for them. not enough rocker and the boat seems to stick to the water or go slow for some other reason. sol cat rocker is the example there.
btw i've sailed with 3 on a 16 many times, most teenagers but not always. i've also solo'd one in wind strong enough to not need the righting line whilst righting. just had to pull on the dolphin striker a touch, then dive for the new windward hull to keep her from capsizing the other way.
bottom line: wings on a TheMightyHobie18 allow a family to cruise the lake in comfort and style.

18