I have been learning to sail just for a couple of months. (Think really really green here) I am 37 and am in good shape. I weigh 128 lbs. I am working on the ‘boat fund’ and want some input about a good beginner boat.
I went to Performance MidWinter with Jake Kohl and David Mosley this past weekend. (I am so proud of them) I got to go out on the committee boat (Thanks Kirk!) I learned so much about how a race was set up and all of a sudden everything I have been reading fell into place. What a great experience!
While I was there I talked some about being serious about learning and getting ideas about purchasing a boat. I had a couple of guys tell me a Wave was the way to go for a beginner boat. Then a woman sailor said, no way, you won’t like that for long. It is too simple. Get a Hobie 16.
What suggestions do you have?
The first thing you need to look at (if you want to race) is what boats are in the fleet you would be sailing with then look into which of those would be a good fit for you. Get rides, tips, info, etc.
That said, I would agree with the advice to get an H16. I feel they are the biggest bang for you buck when you buy used. As a general statement in the US an H16 will almost always allow you racing opportunities.
Here are my reasons for picking the H16 as a starter boat for those interested in racing or not:
1) They are cheap used. About $1000 - $2000 depending on condition, extras, trailer, and location.
2) They are very easy to sail solo and with crew.
3) Parts availability. They are still in production and there are thousands of used ones out there too.
4) They are relatively simple boats to rig and derig.
5) There is a huge base of people all over that know the boat and can help you with tuning, repairs, and sailing tips.
6) The boat will be able to challenge you as a newbie and as a more experience sailor.
7) They can take a beating and hold up very well. Yes, they hvae thier issues, but what boat doesn't.
8) You can double trap on an H16 and not on a Wave.
Those are all of the major points I can think of right now.
Again, talk to those in the area who you will be sailing with and get rides on a model you are thinking of buying before you make up your mind.
My 2 cents...
Sunny:
I am doing a lot of looking too. I am looking at getting a starter boat for my 12 yr old grand daughter. She is the one with me in the avatar. She is older now and is at 100 lbs. I have just about decide on a Nacra 4.5. The Wave is a slow boat and I think you would tire of it fast. Buy "Catamaran Racing for the 90's" if you don't already have it. It is the Bible for newbie and old salt alike. we have a good discussion going in our local forum too. www.tcdyc.com
Good Luck,
Doug Snell
Hobie 17
www.tcdyc.com
The H16 weighs around 300 lbs and requires 185 lbs to right. I don't think that's a good idea, solo, for a new 128 lb. sailor.
If you're thinking Hobie, I'd rather see you on a 14. It's quick, light, surfs easily and in light air you can sneek up on bigger boats if they don't pay attention.
Some guy has one in his garage, that he's hanging on to for sentimental reasons. Convince him you're serious and he'll give it to you for a song!
*edit. The post above, about the H16, is hard to argue with, just please don't go out without total crew wt. over 200 lbs.
You are going to dump the boat, that is a certainty! Be prepared before you leave the beach.
Sunny,
you really don't want a "beginner" boat. That implies that you will learn on it and then sell it and move up. Hobienick has given excellent advice. An H-16 is a boat you can learn to sail pretty quickly yet it will satisfy you for years. I have owned mine for 21 years and am not interested in changing to anything else. I know of one here in NC that a fellow wanted to sell for around $600 last year in sailing condition. I haven't seen it but thought about it for my grandson. I could find out if it is still available. I picked up a Prindle 15 for my grandson from a friend at a very reasonable price so I didn't look at the 16.
Howard
I know it is a bit of a drive, but I just found out about an H16 that is available for free. I does need some work and there is not trailer. So, if you can pick it up it is yours (or anyone elses who wants it). Just let me know...
Had a P16 for a short time, not even long enough to really mention. My beginner baot is my 6.0. I did know how to sail prior to this however on moohulls.
Well, it's probably not the right boat for you (as it is not the cheapest and doesn't have a one-design presence), but if you're looking for an easy sailing (and easy righting) catamaran for a light person with lots of performance potential, don't overlook the Cheshire.
I know I'm biased, but the H16 is the way to go. They are available for less than most used waves. You can learn on the thing for many years. If you learn to sail a 16 you will be able to jump on almost anything else and be able to sail it. Pick one up quick and You and Jake can race at the Madcatter. It's been interesting to watch Jakes improvement over the last few years sailing the F18, what I consider one design, he has climbed the results ladder much faster in my opinion then you would sailing open class. Time on the water and being into it makes a huge differance. Congrats on your finish last weekend Jake.
Okay, How do I work with this if I go with the H16?
...and Doug, What advantage does the Nacra 4.5 have that you are leaning that way for your grand daughter?
Sunny:
It has more buoyancy than the 14 and is newer design. Wave is SLOW boat. I started on a 16. To much boat for a kid. I have just asked a lot of people advice and there is a nice 1995 here locally that has little use on it. I suggest you try all these boats before you pick one. Did you get Rick's CRF the 90's?There is a good forum on our site. Regiister and check it out.www.tcdyc.com. I am Hobie17 there.
Doug Snell
Hobie 17
www.tcdyc.com
You will have to have a crew and beach wheels. Make sure of your beach access befor you buy.
Check for delamination in the hulls.. . Take some one with you who knows boats. . . There are lots and lots of H16s, get a good one.
The very lightest H16's you'll find weigh 320 pounds. Some years were 385 and more. Saying 185 pounds will right it is subjective to the conditions. You'll definitely need a righting bag or solo right system.
Absolutely correct! 185 lbs. per Hobie. That's absolute minimum to right with NO waves and NO wind in controlled conditions, as in training!
The H16 is the way to go. Simple, tough, plenty of parts and plenty of competition.
Whatever you end up buying, take Jake and anyone else who's experienced to go over the boat. They'll find all the flaws and can bid the price down for you.
Hmmm... I thought the number was 250# to right the h16. I may be confusing my boats.
I'm amazed with this group of gentlemen so far. At 128#s can you make it to the Chesapeake every tuesday night?
yeah, take Jake with you... but be careful... he seems like a little bit of a perfectionist 
According to his site he goes dremel/epoxy/cloth crazy with the slightest imperfection in the hull!
My family home is Morgantown WV. That is as close as I get. 🙂
Where did that information come from? I have righted my 396lb F18 with a much taller mast solo using nothing but a righting line. I weighed 175lbs at the time. Even if so, there are plenty of things you can use to gain enough mechanical advantage to right the boat solo.
I think that if there was racing around you on Hobie Waves that it would be a terrific starter boat to learn the basic rules and tactics (and advanced tactics) of racing. It is really a pure form of racing. However, I know you a little bit and know your local and there really isn't any activity on Hobie Waves - that and I think you really would like the whole trapezing thing. There are some active H16 sailors around ... or at worst some that used to be active H16 sailors - there should be plenty of advice abound. I think the used H16 would provide a lot of options.
I started on an old beatup Nacra 5.2 that was a great boat to learn on but there were not many around to race against. With racing as my focus, I didn't learn very quickly because of the limited exposure to similar boats. If I had it to do over again, I probably would have started with a Hobie 16 or Hobie 18 because they are relatively simple and there are a good number of them around locally.
Thanks Pat! it certainly wasn't all me - F18 has made both David Mosley and myself much better sailors. David was working the main like a mad man when it was blowing on Saturday and our coordination between helm and sail trim is getting pretty good.
I'm amazed with this group of gentlemen so far. At 128#s can you make it to the Chesapeake every tuesday night?
Does anyone know for sure? I think it's important we give the lady factual "stuff". If 250 is correct, I certainly don't want to be responsible for a 128 lb sailor jumping on board!
It comes from my memory of the Hobie literature over a twenty some year period.
If you question those numbers, please state your case. And remember we're trying to advise a beginning sailor who states a weight of 128 lbs.
What you can do may be outside someone elses ability.
OK...no wind, no waves - 185lbs to right sounds about right. But how did you capsize it to begin with if there was no wind? Remember that there is a technique to righting a catamaran so that you use the wind to your mechanical advantage. Make certain the mast is water tight because if it fills it could become unlikely that the boat could be righted at all. A little preparation and you won't have to worry about it.
There are nylon bags that you can keep on board that have a small block and tackle system so that you can 1) attach it to the boat, 2) lower it in the water (and fill it) and 3) hoist it to give you additional righting leverage. There are also righting poles (which are much easier to operate) and obviously outside assistance if you are sailing with other sailboats (double handed so one person can leave the other boat).
With no wind and no waves it's a challenge to right a 16 with 260lbs. That is the minimum selected for womens racing based somewhat on the ability to right the boat. With wind it is much easier. Sunny, Get a spare life jacket and harness and invite people out.
Attached: A couple of 120lb women that can make the cat fly.
With a line from the top of the mast and the help of several friends. At one time, it was a fairly common training drill. The trick is keep one hull stationary. Not as easy as it sounds.
With a line from the top of the mast and the help of several friends. At one time, it was a fairly common training drill. The trick is keep one hull stationary. Not as easy as it sounds.
One of the races we'd do at fun sails was a tip & tie. Basically, start and somewhere on the course tip the boat over, tie a balloon to the top of the mast, right the boat, and finish. With two people swinging out on the traps they were easy to tip.
From my personal experience...
I have sailed at minimum carrying weight to get to (285). I WAS racing at about 275 combined. I could get the 16 or 18 up with that, but would use the crew on my shoulders to make it easier / quicker. Especially on the 18.
In no wind... it is harder, not easier to right. You need a breeze to get under the sails and add a bit of lift. With a breeze you can right with less weight.
If you are light, you can carry a "Righting Bucket" or canvas bag to fill with water. This is slung over your shoulder for more righting weight. These bags can carry about 150 lbs. of water.
Sunny:
This is a little off the subject, but if you get a TheMightyHobie18 you can do what these guys are doing. Series 2.
http:/
Hey Jake, Find a H16 and get up to the Madcatter. It would be very interesting to get your take on racing the boat compared to the F18 fleet.
Lots of pretty boats on the beach at Oneida Lake
Pete:
I did that in 1980 off the coast of Freeport Texas in 14 foot rollers. It was a HOOT and scary. All you could see was the top 3-4 feet of the competitors mast. Had to really watch you didn't hit someone. We were weightless for a second or two. Real rush.
Doug Snell
Hobie 17
www.tcdyc.com
Gentlemen, thank you so much for the information. I really respect your opinions. It looks like most agree that the H16 would be something for me to consider seriously.
I am sure David, Jake or Cary Palmer will help me find something reasonable for my money.
Doug,
Thanks for the book suggestion. I will get one. I appreciate all the help I can get.