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Hobie Tiger vs 18SX
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Author:  hwhalen [ Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:10 am ]
Post subject:  Hobie Tiger vs 18SX

I have sailed a Hobie 18SX for the last 18 years. It's getting rather old in the tooth and I am thinking of replacing it. As you know, the Hobie 18 has been discontinued and I am thinking of replacing it with the Tiger.

I sail on a lake (5km by 25km) with winds that rarely exceed 20 knots. I would rarely, if ever, race the boat but I do like to go fast. :wink: . I have a number of questions and any help would be appreciated.

1. Has anyone made the transition from a Hobie 18SX to the Tiger? If so, can you give me any insight?

2. Has anyone added the optional Hobie 18 type wings to the Tiger? If so, what was it like?

3. Can anyone compare the stability of the two boats? (I have only flipped my 18SX once - 20 meters from shore when the wind suddenly changed direction - :cry: )

4. Any advice on whether or not people think I would be happy with the Tiger?

Author:  hobie18rich [ Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:35 am ]
Post subject: 

i made the transition from a 18 to the tiger. I'm very happy with the new boat. the tiger is more stable higher up much more power up and down wind. never used the tiger wings but with foot straps on the stern its a wonderfull ride under the spi.

Author:  ncmbm [ Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:48 am ]
Post subject: 

I jumped from a 18 to a Fox and am now back on a 18. The 18 is a tank, the Tiger is a race boat. I am rough on my boats and don't wish to own a boat that must be handled with kid gloves. The Tiger is an excellent race boat but the hulls are no where near as durable as the 18. The daggers are also fragile and must be kept repaired or they will delaminate. I don't think the boats can be compared as they were built for different purposes on different continents. Its all about of careful you wish to be with the boat and how it will be maintained.

Author:  kylea [ Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:00 pm ]
Post subject: 

I too went from a H18 to a Tiger after 25years.

The Tiger is a wonderful boat - but way more work to look after and much more demanding to sail properly. You have to wash it carefully after every race, polish it and replace the Spin very 18 to 24 mths. You'll need a pair of good quality beach rollers over $500, a cover ??? 1 -1/2 hours to rig and de-rig.

Are you ok with tipping it over every time you take it out for the first year?

If you love mucking around with bits and pieces and are prepared to spend an average $200 to $300 a month in the first year on it, then its the boat for you.

Author:  hobie18rich [ Wed Oct 31, 2007 11:27 am ]
Post subject: 

yes it is more demanding to sail and maintain. however my wife and i have only had ours upside down once in about 7 weekends out .
the cleaning and little things are not really that hard.
Beach wheels i got the euro wheels are about $ 350 and i bought a full trailerable cover from a sail maker in san diego about $800 - $900 with mast cover and tax.
The only other expence was i changed the trumpet douser to a spinnaker nesting unit made by barefoot designs. the "SNU" makes dousing easier and extends spin life as my wife is 100lbs making the rig easier for her is the reason for that. Also a second set of blocks on the spin make it easier to sheet for her.
I'm happy with the new boat and the washing and waxing well if you trades a camaro for a corvette wouldn't you clean it up more often?

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