Can't find an indoor place to keep my Hobie 18. Best way to protect it from the elements over the winter?

That depends... where the heck are you? If you're in s. Fla or the gulf coast you pretty much keep it where you normally do. For other locations we would like to know what the conditions are.

Clayton
S27/H16

a good tarp or if you've got some $$ a custom fitted cover

Sorry. Delaware. Mostly rain. Two heavy snowfalls per year. Anything I need to do to the hulls (wax, etc.)? Sorry if these are dumb questions. I'm on the learning curve....

Like mentioned above, a good tarp will do. Make sure it is supported where the rain will run off and not collect on top. Also the snow build up would be quite heavy so try to keep that to a minimum as the weight might bend your cross beams on the trailer or worse damage the hulls. Other wise you should be OK

Clayton

Indoor storage is the best.
We have let our Tornado spend the winters outdors the last years. It's stored upside down on it's trailer, disasembled and hulls inside their transport covers. We leave the inspection ports open and try to dry the hulls as good as possible before we park the trailer. Trampoline, crossbeams, rudders etc are stored in the trailer box..

What I've done with an TheMightyHobie18 in the past is to remove everything possible - trampoline, jib blocks, sheets, shrouds, halyards, etc., and store all that stuff inside. With the tramp off you don't need to worry about snow loads. This also gives you a chance to inspect everything and order replacement parts over the winter. Then cut a long tarp for each hull and cover the hulls to prevent sun damage. Leave the tarp open at the bottom so moisture won't accumulate. Make sure inside the hulls is as dry as possible before covering.

Hey Stranger ( why not give a name?)

Jeff's instructions are pretty good; I may add a few more:
1) I prefer to remove my tramps if the boat is being stored outside. The vinyl just can't take it.
2) If the mast are strung up where they can see UV; cover a comp tip.
3) I put a plastic bag over the trailer winch. Every two years I get the trailer bearings repacked.
4) I store the boat outside, but don't let UV or snow fall on it;l I use a car port.

Life is good.

W

For the weather Wyatt and I get in the Northeast, I am not going to let my Nacra sit outside in the winter. Waking up to 1/2 inch of ice on everything would break my heart. I have found indoor space for it in a neighbors barn. I think it's worth it to get it out of the UV alone.
If you are going to go with the tarp idea I would purchase again the material (Yard Softouch By Odyssey)I got from www.rochfordsupply.com. It has a soft side and a durable vinyl-like side and made great cheap covers for my hulls to transport cross country with no damage.

Good luck,
Greg