I stand by my opinion that an TheMightyHobie18 has to many adjustments and its weight make it not a great choice for a first boat/begginer.
The boards are a major concern if you sail anywhere's near or in shallow areas.. you have to be able to jump around from lea to windward and lift them out in a moments notice (and mine would jam up often) or you could be in real danger near shallows... the mast rotator adds confusion to new people (not a big deal, but more items to learn), i never liked the travler (the plastic sliding bearing wear out quickly, and you cant let out the travler without sheeting out the main) and stepping the mast is a struggle... even for experienced sailors.
Not to mention the Pre-86 rudders don't pop up.... i learned that the hard way and then paid the $600 for the upgrade kit (cost more than i paid for the boat)
Don't get me wrong.. it can be done... and is a fine boat... but i would recomend a H16 or prindle16, or a G-Cat (or H17) before a TheMightyHobie18.
Last edited by andrewscott; 08/06/0809:11 AM.
-- Have You Seen This? --
Re: H 14 vs H16
[Re: ]
#150775 08/06/0811:01 AM08/06/0811:01 AM
I based my recommendation (rumination?) mostly on their combined weight of 325. I have sailed many 14, 16, 18 and 20-foot boats. 325 on a Hobie 16 is not as much fun in conditions most new sailors will hazard. I'm not saying it is a bad boat - far from it, as in other threads I whole-heartedly recommend it. In this case, I think the pair in question would enjoy something bigger - the Hobie 18 is a good choice, and the Hobie 20 is, IMO, the pinnicle jib-and-main boat in design and performance; they would grow into it quickly, I think. Is it a technical boat to race? Yes it is, but I also find it a very nice cruiser and more tolerant than the 16.
All recommendations aside, it is a buyer's market - I'm sure they'll find something that suits.
John Williams
- The harder you practice, the luckier you get - Gary Player, pro golfer
After watching Lionel Messi play, I realize I need to sail harder.
Merriam-Webster: Etymology: Latin ruminatus, past participle of ruminari to chew the cud, muse upon, from rumin-, rumen rumen; perhaps akin to Sanskrit romantha act of chewing the cud
Last edited by andrewscott; 08/06/0811:16 AM.
Re: H 14 vs H16
[Re: ]
#150777 08/06/0811:14 AM08/06/0811:14 AM
As an old 16 sailor. 325 is a LOT of weight for most wind condition. Nothing will discourage them more than sitting out on water not moving and thinking they are doing something wrong. When the problem is not much weight. I say 18 or 20.
Just my 29ys 2 cents,
Doug
Re: H 14 vs H16
[Re: ]
#150779 08/06/0801:31 PM08/06/0801:31 PM
>>Nothing will discourage them more than sitting out on water not moving and thinking they are doing something wrong. When the problem is not much weight. I say 18 or 20.<<
A Hobie 16 with 325lbs of crew may not be ideal for top-level racing, but to say that it won't move is a bit of an overstatement. I've seen pictures of H-16s with four adults on board flying a hull.
Here's something that will discourage them more... Spending three or four hours on the beach trying to figure out how to rig their new (used) overly coplicated Hobie 20. Still getting it wrong. Then going out for a sail in too much wind (which for a newbie on a H-20 would be anything over about 12mph) and flipping 5 times and being totally out of control. Then crashing their new to them $5000+ boat into the beach and damaging it.
I don't see how anyone with experience can possibly recommend a Hobie 20 as a beginner boat. Seasoned racers have trouble handling it even before the wind hits 20mph. If you're recommending a Hobie 20 to a total newbie, it's most likely because you have never sailed one- if you did, I think you would feel much differently.
sm
Re: H 14 vs H16
[Re: srm]
#150780 08/06/0801:38 PM08/06/0801:38 PM
18 would be fine. Not hard to rig and you can furl the jib if you need to. Yea 16 would move, but slow. And with that much weight would be real likely to pitchploe when the wind come up. I would go with the 18.
Doug
Re: H 14 vs H16
[Re: srm]
#150781 08/06/0802:07 PM08/06/0802:07 PM