I just got this boat for free but the previous owner said it was a hobie but i highly doubt it is.. it has a hobie sign on the castings but thats it. we couldnt find any hull numbers and the last time it was registered was 1989. i think its either a tornado or a prindle but i have no clue. we measured the dimensions as length: 19'10" from tip to tip and width:10' tip to tip. i attached pictures as well so if anyone knows please let me know. thanks!







edited by: cgsurfer12, Dec 10, 2009 - 10:05 PM

pics didn't show...

Looks like an old Tornado.... my friend had one & it looks like the same thing

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~ Vietnam Vet 69-71~ 17 Hobie w/big jib, ~18 Hobie mag,~DN Ice sailor,
and other toys.......
~~ I live in NY state on the north shore of Oneida lake in
Bernhards Bay. ~~~~~~
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That is a tornado, old, but it doesn't look that bad.
With old style hobie 18 rudders. watch out with those, they break like it's nothing.

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Stefan, Denmark.
H14,H16,P16,P18,SC17,N5.8
Team StaySail
http://www.staysail.eu
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That looks horrible. if the hulls aren't soft.. you should just get rid of it. you can leave it at my house and i will get rid of it for you. :)

just kidding.. that thing needs a a little cleaner and a skipper.

I agree those rudders a delicate and can break if you hit bottom.

Word of caution: that is a powerful beast. if you are not experienced cat sailor.. i would take it slow to start...

Definitely a Tornado. They are powerful, but are more controllable than many other 20 footers. The wide beam means that you can run with a lighter crew.

The classic Tornado only has one trap, and it is worth adding a second if you are going to be sailing in heavy air with a light crew. They are also a bit tough to right due to the beam.

Parts for these boats should be getting cheaper now that the idiots running the Olympics dropped the only multihull from competition. It used to be that a competition boat was good for 2 to 3 years before it needed to be replaced. Unfortunately the replaced boats were usually used for training and a good number of boats never made it to 'worn out' condition.

Deliver that beast to Glencoe Beach and I'll relieve you of your burden. What a trash heap!:)

Seriously don't know what the sails look like but that is a pretty nice freebie. A wash up, light compound and a wax is all she needs.

She is an olympic class racer and not for beginners so I echo Andrew. Take it slow. She'll bite!

My buddy used to snap those rudder housings constantly on his 18. Always carried spares.

Welcome to TheBeachcats.com, as everyone has said, you have an Olympic Tornado there, pretty cool freebie!

Did the gift include a box with the rest of the rigging and sails? What is your sailing and catamaran experience?

Please fill out your Profile, you might find someone local that can help you out.

The hull identification number (HIN) for catamarans is usually etched into the sterns. It's possible your boat is "homebuilt" since plans to build Tornados were/are available. That might explain the Hobie rudder system.

There were quite a few commercial manufacturers also. Feel free to start your own photo album in the "Beachcats People" section of the photo albums to share pictures. Good luck with your new boat, let us know the "rest of the story".



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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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