Hobie Cat Forums

I'm looking to buy a used Hobie wave or H16 to sail here on the James River in VA.

Big difference between those 2 boats - are you looking to solo most of the time or sail with crew? They handle very differently, 16 can be a handful and the wave is pretty mellow. 16 rocks with two midsize adults, wave not so much. What are you looking for?

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1985 Prindle 16

If you do your sailing solo in BIG wind go with the Wave, but if you want to sail with friends & family get the 16. The Wave rocks with one adult in 20 to 25 mph wind. I LOVE my Wave!

I still have small kids so the Wave would be ideal but there's not much used Wave for sale. There are a few used old H16 but I'm concern about their condition and reliability. If it's really strong winds then I'll be windsurfing or sail solo or another adult with a Wave. If <12-15 knots, Wave would be ideal (or a well kept H16). A friend would like to give away an old Prindle 18 but looks like it's too big for me to lift up on a 2-3 foot elevation from the beach into dry land and to sail alone if I want to.

Spot on all of the above. Had a 16 several years ago. Always out solo. The 16 is a handful in moderate to heavy air if you're alone. The wave I've had for about 2 weeks. Out last week in 10-20 with 25mph gusts. The wave screams and is exponentially easier to handle in big air if solo. I was out today in around 5 to 10's working out some bugs and it's a drag in anything under 15 unless you want to putt along. If you want a thrill, the wave is the way to go if you sail in heavy air alone.