Does anyone have any suggestions for a cheap/ trailerable mono-hull, to be a good sistership for the H16 I drive. The H16 is not much fun in low winds, and we down in Texas are going into the hot/ calm part of the year.
How about a Sunfish?
I have a couple of Access Dinghy's 2.3's and there is also an Access Dinghy 303 which is great in light winds. These boats are designed not to capesize and to be full accessible for people with disabilities. My 6 year old twin boys just love the 2.3's.
You know a H16 can be quite fun in light winds if you balance them right. In our local sailing club in Coeur d' Alene Idaho we have regular races this time of year in very light winds. I do really well against the International 14's and Lasers (always beat the lasers and traid off first finishes against the I14's) to their surprise. It just takes a little patients and practice to figure out how to sail them in light winds. I have also bought a square top main for my H16 which really powers it up in the light stuff and improves up wind performance but most of the time I use the regular H16 sail set-up.
Just some ideas.
Bah, humbug to monohull. With proper weight distribution my H16 moves easily in a zepher while many monohulls look lile they are anchored. Make sure your cat is leaning to the down wind side.
Yeah, August is the month that my cat gets the least use. Let's face it.... you bought a cat because you want to sail FAST!!! and another of life's harsher realities is that the trampframe on the H16 is just NOT a comfortable seat!
go buy a 16' outboard skiff, and show the world how a SAILOR can operate a vessel responsibly!
August is Powerboat Month!
Face it! If you can't sail fast, a cat tramp makes a wonderful bed. Watch the clouds. Take it easy. Enjoy. The race day will come.
You must be kidding about a powerboat. They are deserving, but I don't want to think about it at this site.
courteously yours,
greg H14, H16
I bought a Laser for just this type of situation. Simple boat for single-hand sailing. Tacks on a dime. Will teach you more about sailing wind shifts and sail trim than any other boat out there. There's a reason this class is so strong. Plenty of used Lasers can be bought for $1K or less. Doesn't have to be trailered. At about 130 lbs, you can cartop. I sail the H16 until mid-summer doldrums here in central Arkansas, switch to the Laser for July and August, pick the Hobie back up in the fall.
Have you thought about getting a new larger sail for the Hobie. maybe something with a SquareTop.