Mary, I don't mean to be rude... but to copmpare a Wave with a Hobie 17 is like comparing .... anyone got any ideas? Oh I have one.. An MX5 (Miata for you guys I think) with a 911. You might have some arguments ... but not really.
True they are very different boats, but they are both beachcats. They are build for two very different purposes, so it isn't really fair to compare them.
Once you go cat you never go back!
Nacra 5.2 (Elsies)#1499, running an inter17 spin!
I'm sorry. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Actually, if it were me, I would get an older, wood A-class cat.
No contest. Nacra 450. SCHRS gives it 110 as a single hander. This is way faster than Hobie 17, 16 wave etc. Dont get the boat confused with the old 4.5. This is well designed and a real giant beater.
I know we are talking about the 450 but I recently bought an old 5.2 and have been amazed. It is a great 2-up boat and since I have started sailing it solo I have been nothing but impressed!
Once you go cat you never go back!
Nacra 5.2 (Elsies)#1499, running an inter17 spin!
Here's two that nobody has mentioned, but I've always thought about for just your purpose (single handed fun sailing):
Taipan 4.9 uni
Yes of course the T4.9 wins hands down.. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
"House prices have risen by nearly 25 percent over the past two years. Although speculative activity has increased in some areas, at a national level these price increases largely reflect strong economic fundamentals." – Ben Bernanke – 2005
Re: nacra 450 vs hobie
[Re: mikewi]
#95602 01/12/0705:24 AM01/12/0705:24 AM
Mike, Where do you sail -- what part of the U.S. or of the world? It is really hard to make suggestions about boats unless we know the conditions in which you normally sail.
Re: nacra 450 vs hobie
[Re: Mary]
#95603 01/12/0711:51 AM01/12/0711:51 AM
Mary: I am in NE Wisconsin on a 2.2 x 0.8 mile lake, about 0.5 miles inland from Lake Michigan. We get good breezes between 8-20 knots daily, usually only 1-2 foot waves. Warm, fairly shallow lake. Daggerboards would be at risk in spots. I stay off Lake Michigan.
To summarize, you're looking for a boardless cat with higher performance than the Wave. Here are the best options as I see it:
1. Nacra 5.0 or 500--can sail with or w/out jib, alone or with crew, safe/boomless rig; can be righted by someone 215lbs with effort in the right conditions
2. Hobie 14--too small for you; I know because I have one and can bog it down with my 185lbs.
3. Hobie 16--always an option due to availability; downside is its' weight and more primitive design.
4. Nacra 450--probably too small for you, especially if you ever take someone else out.
Here's a couple other options if you want to consider centerboards or daggerboards:
5. Taipan 4.9 cat-rigged--simple to rig, very light weight to move around (well over 100lbs lighter than the nacra or hobie options), nearly as fast as an A-cat but sturdy enough to sail off the beach, designed for one or two people, option of adding a jib or spinnaker later, can be righted by someone 215lbs easily; superior built quality
6. Sea Spray--it's very light; daggerboards, fast but no trapeze; cartoppable
7. Hobie 17--similar description to Nacra 5.0, but with the pros and cons of racks and centerboards
8. Freestyle 15--daggerboards, light, fast, hard to find
And a few boats that would "fit the bill" but are hard to find in usable condition:
9. Prindle 15 10. Prindle 16 11. G-cat 5.0
Now, what about cost (used boats)...
Taipan 4.9 cat $7,500 and up Nacra 5.0/500 $1,000 and up Nacra 450 ? Hobie 16 $700 and up Hobie 14 $700 and up Sea Spray free and up Hobie 17 $1,500 and up Freestyle 15 $500 and up Prindle 15/16 free and up G-cat free and up
Hope this helps--good luck; seems like this time of year would be a buyers market in Wisconsin.
Last edited by ejpoulsen; 01/12/0707:05 PM.
Eric Poulsen A-class USA 203 Ultimate 20 Central California
