I want to get started in sailing and I need some advice. I have wanted to learn how to sail for some time, but I have only recently had the means to get started.

I want to do this for myself and my 6 yr old son and 4 yr old daughter. Of the two my son is the one who would most likely be interested in sailing, he already loves motorboats. I don't think my wife will be involved.

I have access to lakehouse on a small lake in the Dallas, Texas area where I can store and use a sailboat. The lake is popular with SeaDo's, boats, skiers and tubbers, so I would have to work around them to sail.

I have two questions.

First, the only type of sailboat that I would really be interested in is a catamaran. A Sunfish really doesn't excite me! From the research I have done it looks like the Hobie Wave is an excellent family sailing boat that is easy to sail yet still has good sailing performance. The problem is that I have not found a used one for sale anywhere close to here, regardless of price. If my only option is to buy a new one them I'm in for $5K which is more than I have planned to spend. There are a lot of Hobie 16's available used and I might be able to buy one for $1 - 1.5K. However I'm not convinced that the Hobie 16 is the right boat for a family. I want to make sure I select the right boat so I can cultivate an enjoyment for sailing both in me and my kids.

My question is this, is the Hobie 16 a family friendly boat or should I save my money for an extra year or so to find a used Wave to buy or perhaps buy a new one?

Second. What is it about sailing that keeps you going out on the lake or the ocean on a regular basis? What part of sailing a Cat do you enjoy the most?

Thanks for reading my long post!

Michael,

While it sounds like the Hobie Wave would be a nice choice for your needs, you won't go wrong with a Hobie 16 either. Remember that tens of thousands (over 100,000) Hobie 16's have been sold. And it's still one of the top selling new catamarans. That is because of it's versatility and simplicity. You can sail it flat with the kids, or after some practice use the trapeze and give those stink potters a hull flying show.

If a used Hobie 16 will get you on the water sooner, go for it. The great thing about a good used boat is that you can probably sell it later for about what you paid.

What keeps me sailing? It's the wonderful feeling of gliding along under sail, guiding the boat where I want using a skill that connects us with all sailors back in time. It's that big grin that pops onto your face when the boat accelerates in a puff. It's sharing that experience with other sailors and showing you can have a great time on the water going fast without gas or diesel fumes.

Watch the classifieds here and you'll probably find a boat close enough. Post a wanted ad of your own. Maybe someone will private message you after seeing this post. Try to connect with Dallas area Hobie Fleet, even if they use a different lake, you'll get a lot of help there.

Good Luck,

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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Thanks Damon! I really appreciate the insight!

If there are any others on this forum with similar or different insight I'm hoping they will share their opinions as well.

Once I get into it, hopefully I can be a regular contributor to this forum.

Michael, Hope you return to read this. I got into catsailing when I was 40. I'd been sailing most of my life, and found there is practically nothing I enjoy more. I spotted some cats on a local beach, and went over to investigate. It was a local fleet event, ( Fleet 448's Annual Island Hop ). Some of the people I met that day have become some of my best friends. I just spent my first vacation in 3 yrs. with them! So I second Damon's advice about hooking up with a local fleet. They'll save you a lot of time, and money! As for the boats, I've sailed Hobie 14s, 16s, 17s, and 18s, and crewed on the 20, as well as sailed Nacra 17 + 20. They are all wonderful, but not all the right boat for you. I haven't sailed a Wave, but would love to have one. I wouldn't give up sailing 16s though. I think the Hobie 16 is a great first boat despite the critics! It may well be the last boat you'll need! I sail mostly in Buzzard's Bay MA. and frequently sail out to islands 6-7 miles off shore with my buddies. I sail for many of the same reasons Damon mentioned. I love the thought/feeling that I can be in harmony with some of nature's powers, and harness them for my own purpose. To feel a sail fill, and hear that little snap as you get underway resonates with something very deep in me. It doesn't matter if it's a Sunfish, a cat, or a 110' schooner. It's like a tuning fork for my spirit. I think it's generally a healthy addiction. Get a cat! Brian, H17 Blessing, Team Goose, Fleet 448



edited by: catflyer2003, Sep 05, 2007 - 02:45 AM

Thanks Brian! I appreciate your insight!

My biggest concern with an H16 right now is that I'm not sure it is a safe boat for my 6 and 4 year old kids. If I were a good sailer and not a newbie I expect that I could keep the boat out of trouble enough to make it safe enough for them to be on. However, if in my inexperience I underestimate the wind and allow a cat to heel too far I might drop one overboard. While they have pfd's and they have been swimming in lakes before, they haven't been dropped into the middle of a big lake by themselves! It would scare me to watch one of them fall off and I'm sure it was scare them.

If money was no object and my goal is to not only get myself into sailing but also get my kids into sailing (maybe even my wife, who knows?) then probably a Hobie Getaway with wings would be the best boat for me.

Problem is, money is a key factor which works in the H16's favor. Also, I like the idea (for me) of having a boat that is a racing thoroughbred, even if I rarely or never race it. Just the fact that I could it really cool. But, family considerations come first.

I really appreciate all of the input and suggestions I have been getting from Hobie sailors on various forums on the Internet. I am also in contact with Fleet 23 and they have been extremely helpful to me as well.

Take care!

Michael, I still think the H 16 is a god boat for you, especially given budget concerns. I think the boomless boats would be easier to start on, and a little safer, but people have been taking kids out on 16s for decades. Be careful about how much wind there is, and how much may build/develop over the course of your sail. Invest in Rick White's book, and video, and you'll quickly learn to stay in control.

Brian, To which book and video by Rick White are you referring?

Thanks!

Michael, I think the title of the book is Catamaran Racing for the 90s. The first video in Rick's series is Total Boat Handling. I haven't read the book, but everyone that has recommends it. I have the video on VHS. It just came out on DVD as well. You can get them from Rick and Mary's online store at www.catsailor.com . Combined with your new fleet friends this will speed up your learning curve, and make the sailing much more enjoyable.

I've been sailing for a long while. The boat I've owned the longest (20 years) is a Turbo 14 which I sold when we moved to Chicago from NJ. I now have owned a Nacra 5.8NA for the last three years. Our relationship has been a lovely yet often harrowing experience as she's quite a handful in high winds and tough to get off the beach against a Northerly. My wife and I have considered dropping back to a 16 but recently vowed that we are going to instead become better sailors and keep the 5.8. Sailing her over the waves and expanse of Lake Michigan with the City in the backdrop is like flying in every sense.

As to your choices, the 14 has too little hull and bogs down with more than one large person. You will be frustrated. The 16 is a better choice if you want versatile performance and capacity. However as I reflect on your choice of lake, young children etc., a 16 in a crowded recreational venue is like a Porsche in traffic. My recco would be the Wave.

Larry,

Thanks for your advice. At this point I have decided to go for an H16. A Wave just isn't in my budget so I'll "make due" with a 16! However, it will be next year before I buy.

Good luck with taming your Nacra 5.8!

Good choice. Buy the best boat you can afford. Preferably one that has not seen too much salt water service. If you google "catamaran buyers guide" you'll find some good tips on what to watch out for. The beachcats.com has a great classified. Bought my Nacra here with a "Cat Wanted Ad". Happy shopping

You might consider a Hobie 18 they can be in the same price range as the 16 but are more stable. The 18 can also be outfitted with wings and they have a furling jib in case the wind increases too much, the performance jump isn't a huge issue from the 16 and you have less of a chance of pitchpoleing with little kids on board. Learning to sail on a 18 is almost identical to a 16.
Just my 2 cents,
Thomas Machette
Hobie 18 #16943

Thanks for the suggestion. I will keep the H18 in mind as a potential option!

Lotta boat an 18 for a beginner. Tough to trailer. Ok if you are leaving on a beach and you'll need beach wheels. Better have a big lake. Dagger boards are a pain if you have coarse sand & pebbles. Then again the wings are a nice option for a family and they do not pitch pole. This is where you bury the lee hull on a fast reach. Go for a mid to late 80's boat.

Lots of opinions are certainly available! I apprecite all of the feedback. I'll spend some time talking with my friends at Fleet 23 to see what they say. I know that the lake is big enough in that there are other 18's and 20's that sail there on a regular basis. However I accept the fact it is a lot of boat!

I'll keep your suggestion in mind about the late 80's boat. That's about the time I was looking for anyway.

Thanks again!

I don't know if you've purchased yet, or if you are going to wait till next year, but I thought you might want a few thoughts about kids, boats and choices. I started my 2, girl then 8, and boy then 6, on a Prindle 16. The deck on the hull didn't scare the kids as much as the gap that they could see water rushing through. I started mine swimming around the boat, and in harnesses on the wire, in still air. Playing tag around the boat in the water, and trying to see who could touch the front of the boat while on the wire were great games to keep them occupied. The open area on the Hobie 16 didn't let them hide, and "running the rail" was just too complicated. The Prindle is easy to keep up (save the money for keeping up the kids), and to operate. You may find that you work the sails alone, or with "inexperienced" help. The 16s are a little easier to single. The Prindles generally kept their resale value a little better because they were such tanks, but they were comparably priced with the Hobie 16.

Thanks for your advice. At this point I'm planning to wait until next year before I buy something. Therefore I'm keeping my options open!

My kids love being on boats. Most of their experience is with powerboats, but I've also had them on H16's before. They love the splash of the water on them and/or dragging a foot or hand in the water. Not good for performance sailing, but then I'm not racing!

Hi; the Prindle 16 has a more forgiving lee bow By design . That means it doesn't bury & trip the boat as quickly as a Hobie 16. I recommend you don't take children out until you know how to depower the sails & get home safely without capsizing the boat if the weather changes & the wind starts to howl! With the Prindle 16 , you have the safety option of reefing the main. That makes the boat very managable when the wind starts blowing !. The Hobie 16 does not have reefing points ! If you capsize any cat with 2 children in the water ....that could be very dangerous unless they know what to do & there is help to fetch them out of the water so you can struggle to right the boat solo ! Before purchasing any size cat , go out with an experienced cat sailor & capsize the boat to see if the boat can be righted alone ! The cats are great fun & family boats .... all 4 of my children from the ages of 8-10 started sailing with me . They all wore life jackets, wet suits & practiced man overboard & capsize drills until they felt comfortable & I knew that they were capable . Good luck ! Bill

Thanks Bill! Good suggestions on the man overboard and capsize drills!

I have heard that the Prindle 16 is more stable and I will investigate options there as well.

Thanks again.

This past summer I bought a 1981 H16 for me an my kids. While I only got it out a couple times for some shakedown sails, my kids loved the speed and the action.

One major factor in choosing the H16 was that used and new parts are typically easy to find even for a 26 year old boat!

Thanks for the comment. The fact that H16's and parts are readily available is certainly something I am taking into consideration.

Hope you get to do more sailing next summer!

I was bidding on a Prindle 16 on eBay when my wife found a 1981 H16 for $500 (I tought her that high grass is sometimes a "For Sale" sign). With some refitting and some elbow grease we have a wonderful FUN and FAST boat. Total cost estimated around $1200 and worth EVERY PENNY! One BIG regret though...I waited too long to get back into sailing (19 years). We're ripping up the Chesapeake now though!!!

Thanks for the tip. I'll keep looking in the high grass to see if I can find anything!

Seriously, I'm looking forward to finding the right boat early next year and getting started as soon as its warm enough to get out!

Why are you waiting to buy a boat early next year? Usually you can find a great deal on a boat in early winter, because people dont want to store a boat for the winter, this can be a great negoiation point when buying. In the early summer people may change their mind and not want to sell the boat because they can still use it.
Just a thought.
Tom

The reason I am waiting is funding. I don't have the funds available to buy at the moment. Also, while I have been looking at the available ads most every day I haven't seen anything that was too good to pass up. There's not much out there at the moment that is geographically close to Texas.

dont forget ebay or craigslist, sailingtexas.com(98%mono), however my first choice would be with the local fleet. You can always find a good boat for sale, and find a friend. Whatever your choice is...good luck, happy learning (that in itself is a key), and hope those pennies are being saved well. The water will be warm pretty soon!!!

I have both a Hobie 16 and Prindle 16. The Prindle is more forgiving and more comfortable than the Hobie. However, the Prindle is slightly slower (but there is a handicap for racing).
I've had my girls (3-5yrs old) on both without issue...as long as they have some task to do.
Either is a good choice to start into cat sailing.

My only advice is not to be in a rush to buy.
Good Luck!

Fraser,

Thanks for the excellent advice. It's nice to hear from someone who has sailed both the Hobie and the Prindle 16!

As for taking my time, that doesn't seem to be a problem. First, I don't have the money available yet. Second, it's difficult to find the right boat. I'm looking for an H16 86 or later, but there's not much to choose from in the Dallas or Texas area!

I'll keep looking!

Thanks again.

There is a Hobie Wave for sale on Craigslist in Grapevine.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/boa/689312386.html
I have a Prindle 16 and it is great. This might create a debate but it is faster and will handle better in heavy air than the Hobie...keyword is heavy air. The Hobie will perform better in light air.

Another suggestion - go out to Hobie Point at Lake Lewisville and bum rides from people who have different boats so you can decide which is best for you. I have a 6 & 4 year old as well, but haven't yet taken them for a ride. I think that they would be fine on a light day, but given how my H18 loves to go like a rocket, I save the medium to heavy days for myself.

Jason



edited by: JLevy, May 29, 2008 - 09:08 PM

Thanks Jason. I did the bumming a ride thing last fall with Fleet 23. Me and my kids had a great time!

I purchased an '86 H16 about 10 days ago. I'm hoping to be out at Hobie Point on the afternoon of June 1st for my first time with it in the water. I'm hoping there will be other Fleet 23 people there to help me!

Michael,
I'm sure you'll get whatever help you need. I won't be out there on Sunday, but I may be out there tomorrow (depending on when I get back from tonight's Steve Miller concert). If you seen an H18 with white sails, it's probably me (I can't remember the sail # since I've only owned it since January).