Nacra 4.5 vs Hobie 14

Guys/Gals:

How do these boats compare? I want to get a starter boat for 12 year old grand daughter and local dealer has 1995 Nacra 4.5 for $3500. She has been sailing for 5 years, has trap time but no stick time. Weights about 100 lbs.

Doug Snell
Hobie 17
www.tcdyc.com

I would also consider the Hobie Wave and the Mystere 4.3.

Look around for a Hobie 14 Turbo. That way she can skipper and take a friend along. Plus, they have to be way cheaper than $3500.

Mike:

I am leaning seriously toward the 4.5. I know nothing of the 4.3. Have never seen one around here. Andrew Tatton said the 4.5 will take more weight than the 14 and is a faster newer design. It is a 1995. It will hold me at 210 and her at 100 till she is comfortable at the helm.

Doug Snell
Hobie 17
www.tcdyc.com

Definitely go for the Nacra 4.5--much more modern design that will carry more weight and be more pitch-pole resistant. I have a Hobie 14 turbo--only advantage is that I bought it for $600.

If I remember correctly, the Mystere 4.3 has a skeg hull so there are no boards to mess with. The design and setup is totally modern and it can carry a spin. I saw a couple of them out at Dunedin Causeway, it is a real nice little boat. I thought it would be a perfect boat for someone to train on growing up if they were serious about sailing. John Williams had one for several years and I am sure he could give you more insight on it.

Ya know I know absolutly nothing about what your talking about.. but I think it is VERY VERY GREAT that you include your children.. good job People.. and grand children!!
BEAUTIFUL.

Darrell

Hey! It's lucky the leprechaun! (aka JW)

I've owned both these boats.
The 4.5 has lots more power and will hold about twice the weight. Good handling characteristics and dead nuts simple to operate.
Good luck..

there is an awesome 5.0 for sale in so cal if you are interested.

(Hey! It's lucky the leprechaun! (aka JW))

NO, that is one of the original owners, Dave Sullivan, sailing on Maumee Bay in Toledo. He is very proudly Irish and had his spinnaker modified to display that.

Guys:

Thanks for all the help. There is a 1995 4.5 for $3500 with little use at local dealer I am going to make an offer on. Going to take a Hobie 18 spinnaker kit and cut the pole down to fit. Will see if I have to re-cut the spinnaker. I want to learn spinnaker and will fix it to sail uni for her to race.

Doug Snell
Hobie 17
www.tcdyc.com

Hey ! That's probably the same Dave Sullivan from Toledo who contacted me back in '98. He said that he was coming to Ireland and wondered if there was a cat event in July that he could race in. He said that he had Hobie experience and we got him a Hobie 18 for our Inland Champs. He did very well considering that the Hobie had not been set up for racing. Say Hello, if you still see him around

Yes, Dermot, that is the same guy. I will let him know to read this string so that he knows to say 'Hi" back to you.

Guys:

Thanks for all the help. Well it looks like I am going with the Nacra 4.5 and going to retrofit a Hobie 18 spinnaker to it. Should be fun for me to learn spin and Ashleigh to learn and race.

Doug and Ashleigh Snell
Hobie 17
Soon to be Nacra 4.5
www.tcdyc.com

Mike:

The Mystere user forum group times out. Do you know of any used 4.3's in Texas area? I am really impressed with the talk on the beginners boat thread on it. I am looking for boat for Ashleigh and one I can learn spinnaker on.

Doug Snell
Hobie 17
dsnell4 at houston dot rr dot com
www.tcdyc.com