So in a nutshell; 60 years old. 260 pounds. Yup my six pack has become keg but i'm committed to changing all that.
starting my second childhood. lots of mountain biking and surf ski/kayak.
Time for a sailboat.
Experience: rented both dingy (Laser, Sunfish) and catamaran (14 foot, not sure if it was a Hobie) during numerous vacations .
i had been told it was very difficult to tack a cat. my experience was different. Maybe I was lucky?
Anyway, i feel comfortable on the water but know little technical stuff or teminology. I suppose i sort of just figured it out.
i have no desire to race or join a club . just a few hours of sailing each week.
Never sailed with a jib. Can Isolo and handle jib and main?
My boat choice comes down to Laser (Iknow this is a Hobie forum) or a Hobie.
Laser for it's simple rigging and speed (compared to Sunfish). Downside is it is small, cramped and at 260 pounds i may be too big.
That brings me to a Hobie!!
Looking at Wave, T2, Getaway and maybe a 16.
I'm thinking I'm too heavy for a wave. although it looks fast on Youtube I have been told by folks who sail a 16 that it is a "dog". No offense to Wave owners.
The T2 or Getaway seems to fit my bill a bit more. Getaway seems more family oriented. I am thinking the T2 is a bit faster. Solo sailing and looking for a thrill. Yes the 16 would be great but is it too much for me?
On a day with light breeze will the roto mold T2 or Getaway be bogged down due to its less "piercing' hull profile
I will be sailing on a decent size lake 6,000 acres (38 mile shoreline) in North central Florida, so a nice long season.
I will be trailering 40 miles to the lake and using a boat ramp.
Boat ramp has a large floating dock (breakwater?) forming a sort of cove.
http://cfyc.com/PhotoGallery/tabid/60/g ... fault.aspxDo I paddle out and lash down the oar on the trampoline or sort of flutter the rudders back and forth to make headway?
Maybe use just a jib to get clear and than at the small beach next to ramp set my main?
This is assuming I can sail solo with jib.
Is trailering feasible or are the Hobies more or less meant to stay on the beach?
Oh yes, just across the road is a smaller lake that does not allow trailer parking. i could drop the Hobie from a trailer to a dolly go park truck in the trailer lot, dolly the Hobie to the beach on the smaller lake and beach launch. Yes alot of work but i want to sail !! Smaller lake is less than 1/2 mile across so it may get old quick !!
Lastly, assuming I take the plunge ( no pun intended) approximate rigging time to get out on water? I have heard that in the 16 it can take one person anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour. Realistically can an efficient sailor get rigged in 30 minutes or less?
I am obviously not sure which boat to choose. Cost is a factor and there are very few used Hobie 16 in my area.
I have tried but cannot find a demo boat of any modle Hobie. Nobody rents them either in my area.
Any help is appreciated.