I'm new to the beach cat sailing. I have been looking at purchasing a new H16 of Nacra 500. I have been told that the Nacra 500 is a faster boat, but unsure about the rubber hulls and lack of boom. I want something that will be fun to race for years. I will be sailing a good bit solo. Please advise or should I look at a 18ft cat.

Where are you located, and which fleet will you be racing with? If you are in an area with a Hobie 16 fleet, get that. If you will be racing in a mixed fleet, with no Hobie 16's to race against, you may want the Nacra 500. The Hobie 16 is still one of the largest classes racing, so your chances of finding some of them to race with are much greater than with the Nacra 500, of which there will be very few to race boat to boat.

I live in Jackson, MS and there is a mixed assortment of boats both Nacra and Hobie 16. What do you think of the two boats, any advice?

You should get out and sail the various boats. I would get what is most popular in my area. If you are serious about racing, for the most part you are looking at A-cat's, F16's, F18's and Hobie 16's. Nacra 500's are more recreational boats and there is no real fleet.

If you are indeed new to beach cats, the H16 is a terrific place to start. It's a durable boat, there are tons of sailors around with helpful advice, and you can easily get repair parts.

Fun to race.... What kind of racing are you looking for and how far are you willing to drive?

if you want buoys racing... the Hobie 16 is your only choice..
If you are short distance racing.... pick your favorite. If all of your racing will be handicap... (Local races...pick your cup of tea)

Boomless is a wife and family friendly feature... Sailing wise...the boat has been engineered to work boomless.... eg the mast will rotate to 90 degrees around for down wind sailing with sheet tension. ( I sailed a boomless rig Dart for years and loved it)

If you are single handing a lot.. the Nacra 500 would be a better choice because you can leave the jib on the beach and the boat will be a bit more balanced.... can't do that with a standard 16 set up. In light winds... either boat will work.

All boats are for sale the day you pick it up... so... I would start with the boat in the best mechanical shape with the cleanest sails. Move on when you want to.

You will be very hard pressed to find another Nacra 500 on the water.... You will find lots of new friends on Hobie 16's... It is tough to learn how to go fast without other boats around you... The 16 class is very active and you can find true experts for how to advice... There are no Nacra 500 experts... its a recreational boat.

Jackson, MS (and southern MS) has some H16s that travel the Gulf Coast pretty regularly. Fun group of people.

Rubber hulls? Don't think so.

The H16 is a great boat and has been around longer so there are boats at all prices.
The 500 is easier to sail, a better single hander and faster

The H16 feels fast and is not especially [Compared to other cats]
The 500 feels smooth and easy but is fast!

Check your PMs!

Talk with this man. He knows the scene.