Don't know if you know the Buffalo 14 - but it is a great boat - and will drag off a H16 anyday (or a Windrush 14). Anyway after 10 years, mine is dead. So need some advice on upgrading...
I mainly sail single-handed – have tried a H16 but find it a bit of a handful in terms of launching, holding in down & righting (although the solo-right stuff sounds interesting). Been looking at a H17SE as an alternative – is this easier to launch & sail solo? Rights easier? Trapeezing solo is scary enough – how do people find the H17 wings for this?
Also I sail in shallow water a lot – are the dagger boards a bit of a pain on the H17 – can you control how deep they go?
I've got an H17, and its a great boat.
Just rigged it and launched it solo for the first time last weekend. It was a bit hairy, but if I do it enough times it will get better. The only thing I had to work out was how to raise the mast and attach the forestay.
Couldn't tell you about righting it solo. I imagine it can be done, the thing is so light that I can pick it up fully rigged.
The centerboards aren't a big deal... the rudders still draft more so they'll be the first warning sign. Operating the centerboards is very easy, and if you want to adjust the draft of the boards, all you need to do is tie some stop knots in the centerboard line.
Trapezing solo isn't scary. Its the trapezing off the wing thats the thing to get used to...but once you get the hang of it, its like second nature.
Is yours a Sport or a Special Edition? Do you know what the difference between these 2 version is? Seems to me the SE is more for solo??
Have you sailed a H16? What is the difference (apart from H17 slightly longer, has wings and daggers, no boom and no raised tramp) - is it lighter? Easier to drive? Do you think the wings mean it is easier to get your weight out during stronger breezes (that might have you struggling solo on a H16?)
BuffaloBill,
I recently sold my Hobie 16 and bought a Taipan 4.9. The change was like going from a '76 Toyota Corolla to a late model Honda Prelude. What a beautiful, fast and exciting boat.
It's easy to right on your own as it weighs only 95kg in solo mode compared to 145kg for a Hobie 16. Much easier to move around the beach too.
Other useful information about the Taipan is that is was constructed from the ground up to be sailed either sloop rigged with two people or cat rigged with one. Just leave the jib off and away you go! The boat is a dream to sail and is faster around the bouys than many much larger boats.
The Taipan is also F16HP compliant - all you need to do is stick a kite on it if you want. The T4.9 class is well established in Australia and is rapidly spreading world wide.
If you want more info on the Taipan 4.9 see:
http://www.taipan.asn.au (great photos here!)
or for the F16HP class see the forum on this site you are currently looking at or go to the class website:
http:/
I hope this is of some help.
Rob Wilson
My Sport actually started its life as a SE. The previous owner hastily threw a H16 jib on a longer forestay.
Since then, I've someone upgraded that, adding a roller furler so if I'm out alone, and the jib is being to much of a pain in the butt, I can go ahead and furl it up.
I haven't sailed a H16 in YEARS so I wouldn't be a good source on that comparison, however, I can say that I'm pleased with my 17.
I have put Trapseats on my H16 and makes it real easy to solo sail, plus I have Gary’s solo-right system for righting my boat solo. Therefore, either getting Trapseats or just talking to those the solo-right a H16 can help. We do have people in our area that have H17’s & Waves, which are great solo cats. Also there is the FXone, which is similar to the H17 but more like an A-Cat, and now there is also the new Bravo, a new 12 ft. cat made just for solo sailing, and from what I have heard it is a great little boat. Also you might want to try a H14 as we have some in our area and they just love these little cats. I sail one myself and did as a kid, and it is still my favorite solo cat. Rick White has reported putting a Hooter on a Wave, which converted it to a great kick butt solo cat. Also the new Bravo cost $2400 new, so maybe keep team racing your H16, and do some Bravo solo sailing.
You will not need to buy a T4.9, move to the F16HT group or what ever they call it, or leave the Hobie Class to find a great solo cat. Man what a statement to make on a H16 forum, “moving from the H16 to a T4.9 is was like going from a '76 Toyota Corolla to a late model Honda Prelude.” Hay you know there is a T4.9 forum where you can put this bull. Nothing against T4.9!
As for the checking out FXone or Bravo go to www.hobiecat.com or for great fun and exciting picture of the rock-n’-roll H16 racing go to www.hobieclass.com and click on worlds, then click on one of the H16 worlds links.