Which Cat should I buy? Please Help

You might want to stay away from these big boys if you are new to catamaran sailing. Try finding a used 18 in your area, they are pretty cheap, just to make sure that this sport is for you. Biting the big buck for one of the speedsters is probably not the wisest thing to do if you are not experienced with catamarans already.

I don't know about TheMightyHobie18's being the bigger fleet. We had 25-35 Hobie 20's and 4 H18s at Divisonals last year. I like the Hobie 20, but in big wind it is a bear. It has enough room for 4 people. Two people can sail it very fast.

The 18 class is just about dead in most areas. The tiger is the up and coming class.

Personally I think everyone should start with the Hobie 16 but that is just my opinion.

cheers
Bill

Howdy,
The TheMightyHobie18 has pros and cons.

Pros:
1) It is overbuilt, so it's structurally forgiving of rookie moves.
2)There are a lot of them available on the used market.
3)Hobie made a lot of them so parts are also not hard to come by.
4) The reserve bouyancy in the bows makes it less pitchpole prone.

Cons:
1) The first TheMightyHobie18's were made in '76 or '77 so the design is a bit dated. Although the Tornado came out in '67 and its design is still current.
2)It's a little slower than than the the current 18 foot boats. For example the the N5.8 has a D-PN of about 67 and the Hobie Tiger is even faster. The latest D-Pn is around 71.5
3) The TheMightyHobie18 doesn't have that much bouyancy in the sterns, so it's easy to drag the transom(s).

David Ho
TheMightyHobie18 1067

I totally agree with the TheMightyHobie18 being over built. We had one in the early 90's w/magnum wings and that thing was a tank. It was great through the chop.

I would venture to say that the Hobie 18 is as close as you will get to a pitch-pole proof cat. It can be done, but you really have to be careless. Good boat, just too bulky for my taste. In a good blow it will make you think twice about wanting to sheet in harder.

I've sailed most of the boats you've mentioned, and I like the Tiger, but if you're a novice to cats, you may find it overwhelming because the ride downwind (actually on a broad reach) is flying on an edge.

I'd stay away from the Miracles because they're strictly a racing boat and not beach-friendly.

I like the Hobie 18; you won't get intimidated by the racers because most of the best have moved up to the Tiger class.

Wyatt

I really don't see how an H20 is less friendly then a Tiger on the beach.

If you know how to sail I would recommend buying the most popular racing boat in your area.

On the other hand, if you are still learning I would recommend a tougher used boat that you can make mistakes with such as an H16, TheMightyHobie18, P16, P18. You can typically pick these up cheap and then move up in a year or two without loosing too much value. If you are a beginner and want a new boat I would recommend the Getaway.

The Tiger and H20 are great racing cats but they are overwhelming for beginners. You can turn one over in the surf and destroy a mast the first time out and really sour your day. It would be a very rare beginner that can start on these boats and not be in over their head.

Keep One Hull Flying,
Mike Hill
H20 #791

i'm also a cat rookie with designs (eventually) of racing.
After some homework I bought a supercat 17...fast, well constructed, user friendly, and still supported by the guys at Aquarius Sail...not much of a fleet that I'm aware of, though.
Contact Tom at Aquariussail.com, they are putting into production a new version of the 17 supercat called the ARC 17; these are the same people that build the ARC & RC big cats.
just my .02

You should buy whatever you can afford the newer the better immediately drain your bank account on the latest,fastest,prettiest damn thing you can get your salty little paws on before somone else snatches up that deal and your left stuck on some pile of crap out at sea, if your lucky. D'ont let the "Nellies" talk you into something safe and easy.You want safe and easy then go rent a "Wave" for a week in any weather they will let you out in.This question comes up a lot.Most of the advice is given by "Racers" who can not understand that you could get a titanium/teflon/kevlar reinforced spinach sucking rocket ship but you alone still decide what day and conditions and how far you want to go.Even the most experienced bang themseves or there boats up. Learn from it and enjoy.

Clipper,

I see that you named the Hobie FX-one in your list. If you're leaning to this design than I know of a second hand alternative for you. A Taipan 4.9 (available in the US; 2000 build available for a 8K price)

I don't how much you (and your crew) weight but my experience is the FX-one behaves better with two on board than with one. I'm 85 kg's (187 lbs) en my crew was 60 kg (130 lbs). That seemed to be just right and it definately felt right. The jib really did power up the boat and we had great fun sailing against a Tiger sailed by a befriended crew on a few friendly challenges during the week.

The Tiger is a good design and will behave well if you're around or above 320 lbs. Below that the FX-one is better suited. That is if you really go for a Hobie as the wording of your question suggests.

I don't know of the TheMightyHobie18 and miracle but didn't sail them.

They will both come cheaper and will still give a bang for the buck I'm told.

Wouter

Whilst not the most user frendly boat off the water, you could also pick up a cheap classic rig Tornado.....

Has a large stable platform..... not as flighty as a lighter or 8 foot wide boat, has speed to burn and will teach you alot about correct sail trim. Later when your skill increases you can convert to the new spinnaker rig and hang on.

Tornado's in good condition are hard to come by here in the states. Even more difficult to find a tilting trailer for them.