used hobie

Hi,
I just register at this web.
I'm writing from Barcelona, Spain.
I'm looking for an used hobie and I'm struggling wich one.
I like most the hobie 16.
I will sail mostly 2 person but sometimes alone, maybe without fock.
I'm looking for an old and cheap model (2000€).
Which model should be the best for me ?

Thnaks,
Miquel.

Miquel,

You may get many different opinions on which is the best boat. I own a Hobie 16 and am very happy with it after more than 20 years. I sail alone on lakes but would not want to sail alone on the ocean. I do sail on the ocean and carry up to 3 people plus myself. Two people is best. It is difficult to get an H-16 back up alone if you go over.

What do you consider cheap? Are there many H-16s available in your area? I suggest you find newest boat you can afford to buy rather than the cheapest. My boat is a 1985 that I bought new. I had looked for used boats but at that time it was more practical to buy a new boat. Here, there are now a lot of used Hobies and the prices are reasonable compared to the price of a new boat.

When you ask what model do you mean what year or what boat such as H-14 or H-18? If you mean year, the most important thing is condition of the boat.

Howard

Thanks howard,
I was only looking for some guys who had experiene in hobie 16 riding and I get o good information from you.
With 'model' I meant H14, H15, H16...
My idea is doing a quite strong sailing, and I don't want a boat impossible to sail alone.
The idea is a hobie wich basic crew are 2 but works correctly with 1.
Again, thanks for your post.
Miquel.
Barcelona.

I am no expert but I have spent some time on a hobie. I own a Hobie 14T, it is a great solo boat but... becomes somewhat of a sub after you put 2 on it. If you are going to be solo 80% of the time go with it. Make sure you get the turbo, the regular is hard to tack.
I have been on the 16 a few times. It is a great 2 man boat, but lacks in the solo department. First of all, it is hard to right alone without some kind of aid. Second of all it takes away from the simplicity of it.
As for the 15, we don't have those around here.

As a last comment I would like to say that I am trying to sell my 14T so I can upgrade to a Nacra 5.2. I have run into the dreaded disease called onefootitis, I think the nacra might cure it since I am upgrading a couple of feet. You might look into a Hobie 17!

Hobie 17 is a fun boat and will handle two great. I have made a few update and it flys now!!

http://www.thebeachcats.com/modules.php?...=view_album.php

Doug Snell

the hobie 17 is a 1 or 2 man boat ??

miquel.

The 17 was designed as a high speed on man racer, but it has floatation fro two. I know that people complain about it being weight sensitive so be careful.

Also, stock hobie 17 sails are horrible. They delaminate if you look at them wrong. Every hobie 17 I have ever dealt with has had crap sails b/c of delam. I wouldn't recommend the 17 unless you are sailing solo 80% of the time.

Trey, I have had four sails on my 1986 Hobie 17. The first set does have some delamination, but all in all the Hobie sails stand up quite well. Many of our Hobie racers still race with older sails. A Hobie sail will last at least three seasons, and still be in top shape for racing.
Caleb

Miquel,

Try contacting this Hobie friend.

Fleet 346
Contact: Antonio Carretero I Boter
Address:

Town:
Country: Spain
Telephone: +34.3.6752979

Possibly he knows of a used boat for you to purchase?

I think a 16 would be a good boat for you. You have said you like them. Trust your heart.

Good Luck <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have had 5 hobie 17s, and a total of at least 7 sails for them. They all had delam and were junk. Half mylar/half dacron is not a good design, no matter what.

Hi Miguel,

If you want to race, H16 is probably the only option since our country has been clearly a Hobie-dominant area.

But if you are seeking, like me, a much modern alternative to H16, these are the options I have been able to identify:

1)FX-One (but this is basically an alternative to sail solo.l It can handle two though. However bear in mind that this model hasn't really succeeded in Spain, price is high and feedback comments have not been always positive)

2) Formula 16: SL16 recently sold in Spain by sirena-France www.sirena-voile.com (price 10-11k€)
3) Nacra 500 , also sold by sirena but they favour their own model rather than nacra (they are distributors).
4) TopCat either K2 or K3. This seems a rather nice boat,also in the 10-11 k€ range, well built and with a practical rudder that allows for easy control in shallow waters. www.topcat.de


I haven't found any reference to TopCats in the forum. Can anybody provide feedback about them?

Alfred