Ok... technically my Bravo is not faster then YOUR 18. But it is faster then a Solcat 18. I sailed my Bravo for the first time this past weekend, and literally, (and I do mean literally) sailed circles around a Solcat 18.
There were only light winds, and I'm sure that must have played to my advantage, but after watching several people rig the Solcat, and then watching the crew of 2 leave the beach, I decided that I'd head out as well. I stepped the mast single handed, pulled the boat into the water on my own, unfurled the sail and set out to see if I could keep pace. To my amazement, I passed them easily! I figured it was a fluke, so I continued for more then an hour to sail away, come back to, and circle around and pass the Solcat with ease.
We chatted a few times, and they were very surprised that they couldn't keep up with my little Bravo.
I'm a self taught sailor, learned on my Adventure Island, and had only been a passenger on a dinghy as a child, so I'm pretty sure that the boat is faster and it's not the skipper! (Although I may have let my wife believe that the difference was my superior sailing skills
)
I have to admit though, I was VERY impressed with the little Bravo. I get that the 16's are the speed demons, and I a get that the Wave's are the "cool" recreational cats in the Hobie line-up, but this little Bravo is a fun little boat! The simplicity, the controllable speed, the stability. It's great!
I bought the Bravo as an intermediate step between the Adventure Island that I currently own, and the Getaway that I want someday, but I must say, I'm much more impressed then I thought I'd be with the little cat that can!
If you want a fun little dinghy, that's actually a catamaran, the Bravo's a fun way to go!