I'm sure most of this has been covered before, but I'm lazy. I've been pouring money into a used and heavily abused H16, and frankly I'm tired of it. I used to be totally against "plastic" boats, but have since changed my mind after watching a H16 bang against a dock.

I'm leaning towards a new wave or a gently used H16. The latter is near impossible to find in Ohio. I'm just not willing to drive more than 200 miles for anything. I probably wouldn't drive 200 miles if my life depended on it. I hate driving.

As I usually sail solo and haven't caught the racing bug, I think a modified wave would be a nice boat to tool around in. While I don't race, I have no objection to going fast.

1) Can you order one with a white sail, those colored ones are ugly.
2)Will they really handle 3 people?
3)Whats the going rate for a wave these days, I'd like to stay close to the $4k mark.
4) Can they be stored with the mast up? I know some boats can't be. I like leaving the H16 mast up.

5) At 5'4" and 160lbs will I be able to right one? I have yet to try righting the 16 and hope I don't have to.

6)How do they do downwind? The 16 sucks downwind.

7) How do they tack compared to the 16? I have stalled a couple times during tacks on a 16. I like the 16 for the upwind speed, but tacking and sailing upwind frustrate me after having come from sunfish and lasers.

I'll try to answer your questions; but if you want to try a Wave for yourself, you're welcome to drive up to Indy and take mine for a spin anytime.

1. There are white after market sails available, but I think the factory standard is "Spirit" these days. (The one in back.)


2. Three or four people is no problem for floatation, but the more weight you add, the slower you'll go.

3. I think a new Wave is about $5K; used ones are less, but you don't see many used ones for sale in the midwest. People hang onto them.

4. I store mine mast up, and I go to a resort in Florida which has always stored theirs mast up, for 5+ years, with no problems.

5. I flipped mine for the first time last weekend. It was easy to right. The only tough part was climbing up on the slippery hull to stand up on it.

6. I'm not sure how it compares to a 16 downwind. Granted, it's not the fastest point of sail, but if you keep your weight forward & centered, it will move right along.

7. It's not going to tack as easily as a Sunfish or Laser, but I think it's easier than a bigger cat. Just turn slowly, keep your weight on the old windward side, sheet in hard going into the tack, then ease the sheet as you cross, and finally shift your weight. Jibing is much easier on a Wave than any monohull (or most cats), with no boom to contend with.

When I was shopping, I talked to Strictly Sail in Blue Ash, and they were pretty firm in their price. You can try Sailboats Inc. in Indy, or contact Skip Kaub (who organised the Wave Midwest Championship last weekend). He has assembled an armada of Waves, which he may sell now that the regatta is over.

Bill

I can make a clear/white mylar style sail, and could consider a white dacron sail if interested.
Henry Bossett
North Sails New Jersey
2422 Rt. 34 North
Manasquan, NJ 08736
732-528-8899
henryb@sales.northsails.com