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PostPosted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 6:39 pm 
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Most of the automotive forums I frequent have an "intro" section. I dont see one here. Generally speaking Im a car guy.

I have wanted a sailboat or some time, and cats seem like the way to go. Fairly easy to transport and store, reasonably fast, and fun.

I live in a town thats on the edge of Lake Ontario and theres many smaller lakes further north.

I would ideally like to have somthing that I can travel some distance on with increased skill level. I was intending to take a course locally that instructed on beach cats.

I was looking at a Hobie 16 or 18 for a first boat.

Thoughts?


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PostPosted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:12 am 
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Joined: Sun Sep 20, 2009 4:00 pm
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Location: Charlottesville, VA
Sounds like a reasonable approach (lessons and a H16/18).

If you're in an area with a sailing culture, there may be a Hobie racing fleet or sailing club that you can connect with. Sail with other people, crew for some more experienced sailors and you will augment your knowledge rapidly. Most of all, you'll have fun and probably won't get into too much trouble. I think the lessons are still a good idea, though, because you'll probably be better received by potential sailing partners if you aren't "that guy who doesn't know ANYTHING."

Also, if you can get connected with a racing club you will probably get leads on some very good boats for sale. So don't be in a hurry to buy.

I'm always glad to see new people getting into sailing!

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'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 12:32 pm 
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Joined: Thu May 03, 2012 4:56 pm
Posts: 72
Since you want to eventually use the cat for long distance , and Lake Ontario
is kinda BIG so it will produce larger waves ; think i'd go for a Hobie-18. It will
handle larger chop, and will carry more weight so you can bring heavier friends
with you along with camping gear. An 18 is capable of being handled by yourself
once you learn how to make it go.

If you lived on a small lake, i'd go for the 16 ; pound for pound the 18 is
a better call for the money spent on the purchase and time spent rigging it to go sailing
for the environment you intend to use it in !!

Watch Out though ; sailing is Real addicting !! I also kite-board, and none of
my kiting buddies can figure out why i like sailing so much ; to me the two
sports compliment each other nicely.

Later on, after you learn to use it, you can get smaller/stronger sails to use
in higher winds ; now a bit of excess wind will be even MORE fun !!
Me & the
guy i went in 1/2 on for our H-20 went the Other direction ; we learned
to sail the cat with the smaller sails which made it Under-powered and WAY
less likely to flip if we screwed-up. Now we regularly go out in 30+ mph wind
on our H-20, but we use a Main-sail & jib made for a H-16. Most the Hobie purest
will disagree with me on that one , so take my advise with a grain of salt ... :shock:

Bille


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PostPosted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 8:11 am 
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Thanks for the feedback.

With any luck Il be able to get out for those lessons this weekend, but I have to wait for a call back from the guy. If not it will have to be when I get back from NH next week.

The weight and water conditions were my main reasons for wanting to go with the 18. Im a couple hundred pounds and so would be any of my friends that would want to come along. The idea of being able to carry some camping gear is pretty cool too. Theres a lot more 16's on Kijiji right now, but if its not the right fit its irrelevant. Theres a cheap 17' with wings ... but it looks pretty rough and I dont really want to get into a huge project just ot make it usable.

Purchase budget is going to be in the neighbourhood of $2000 / $3000 ... and I can make a trailer with relative ease.


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PostPosted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 8:17 pm 
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Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2012 7:36 pm
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Location: Near Toronto Canada
Hey Astro, as one newb to another, welcome.

Sounds like you and me have some of the same ideas, touring the great lakes camping?

I just bought a 14 three weeks ago, my first sail boat. Per the official defenition, the Getaway is the one for you.

When you get your boat we should go sailing some time.
I live just north of Georgetown, by the way.


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 12:22 pm 
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I've got a potential trade for one of my cars for a 16' with a factory galvanized trailer... but I'm concerned about the weight.


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PostPosted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 5:42 pm 
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Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2012 7:36 pm
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Location: Near Toronto Canada
AstroVannin wrote:
I've got a potential trade for one of my cars for a 16' with a factory galvanized trailer... but I'm concerned about the weight.


What is the concern, are you saying the boat is too heavy, or too light for you? The trailer sounds great.


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 4:53 am 
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I'm not worried about the weight of the boat, and I like the trailer for sure.

I weight like 225lbs and I was thinking for me an another person might be on the heavy side.

A little searching answered my questions.

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=31199


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PostPosted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 6:02 am 
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Location: Charlottesville, VA
I've sailed with three total but in heavier wind or with any seas at all it is pretty cumbersome. I think under 400 is probably OK but I usually sail less than that. I can't relate to people saying things are fine with their 500+ pound crew weights; I have a hard enough time keeping the leeward hull tip up in good winds at about 360.

A few weeks ago my old boat had six girls on it at camp. Granted most of them probably weighed about 110 pounds, but I hear it was riding pretty low!

_________________
'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages


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PostPosted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 8:41 am 
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Joined: Tue Jul 30, 2013 6:25 pm
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Update:

Picked up a 1986 H18 in great shape with a galvanized trailer and beach wheels on the weekend.

I had to drive to Michigan, but the deal was worth the drive.

Took it out to the beach yesterday, guess it must be the only cat in town since everyone wanted to take pictures of it after we got it rigged.


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PostPosted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 7:27 pm 
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Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2012 9:06 am
Posts: 277
Location: Charlotte, NC
Congrats on your 18 but must admit I was hoping to watch you build a trailer!

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Jonathan
'85 H16 __/) 87468 Tidal Wave
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 3:49 pm 
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Lol, I'm sure any trailer I built would have been a spectacle.

I'm much happier with a normal functioning trailer .... That I didn't have to build


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