Tribute to the Hobie 18

O.K.....I'm usually out sailing on weekends, but our weather promises to be much better tomorrow, so I have a little extra time on my hands.

This is an interesting pic of my wife on her way down the tramp. LOL My old Hobie 18. MULTI-HIGH.

Enlarger should be in the bottom.

Dave

Driving on down to the beach!

I realize this is probably a dumb question, but is there a reason why existing Hobie 18's could not be modified so they fit into the Formula 18 Class? Maybe they are too long? I know everyone will say they are too heavy to be competitive.

But, forgetting about whether or not it would be competitive, if the platform measures in, is there "technically" any reason the Hobie 18 could not race in the Formula 18 class, either with or without modifications to the standing rigging and sail plan?

I'm just curious. And I'm too lazy to do all my own research if somebody out there already has the answer.

Interesting question, Mary. I'm certain someone can answer your question. (sorry that I can'T) In her day, (and conditions) the Hobie 18 was a reasonably fast boat. Even today, I believe that a well sailed TheMightyHobie18 (given the right conditions) can turn a few heads in open class.

Couldn't resist another old pic. What little hair I have left was "hanging off the back of my head".

Have a nice day.

Dave

Dave, Thanks! I really enjoyed those great photos! Brian, H 17 Blessing

I think the 18 has too much sail area. Otherwise it fits. I think it is probably the best all round cat built. Reasonably fast, easy to sail and almost indestructible

pics of my 81 hobie 18, I took this year

Doug Ramsey

Hey Hey Hey hey! She may be out of production, but she's certainly not dead! So cheer up As long as parts are still available your'e still ging to see us out there doing the wild thing!!... uh... parts ARE still going to be available.......right???

Sweet TheMightyHobie18 "rompin" and dishing out that "mental floss". LOL

Are most of you viewers able to find that photo enlarger in the bottom right-hand corner of the small pic? Just curious as to what programs are needed to use this option.

Dave

From our Frostbite series, 2001. That year I took overall for the year on my 18, "GBH" - stands for Geriatric Blue Hobie. It got to be known by other names for the Fleet sailors as we were always a threat, and I've got a lot of Fleet trophies from the years racing that boat. My 20 is great, but the shear versatility and toughness of the 18 has always had me thinking that when I no longer race a new 18 for kickin' about would be the ticket!

With Spin!

Yep, Great boat, versital, almost indestructable. Have had one for several years. Good boat for crusing or racing. Great boat in heavy air and large waves, much better than the Hobie 16. As I get older a set of wings looks better and better. My twenty-ish crew wants me to get a spinnaker now that I have a all alum mast as well as the "comptip". He would rather crew/skipper with me on the 18 than race his own 16. (sorry no digital pic)

Catsailor - it's Internet Explorer 5.5 (I think) or better that reduces photo size but gives you the button on the bottom right.

Jake,
So, someone viewing the pic needs at least a particular version of Explorer in order to enlarge the pic?
Dave

Here is the big wave shot from Sharing the Wind...

A tough day at the office for me (quite a few years ago though!)

No - in earlier IE versions, the picture will NOT be reduced and will be full size only.