Hi Everyone. Just found this forum. Lots of great info here.

I grew up sailing catamarans. My wife and I have owned a couple of 16s over the years and my dad, at age 71, is still buzzing around on his nacra 5.2. Oh, and we were addicted to windsurfing as well up until about three years ago. I recently sold all of my windsurfing gear because the winds are not nearly strong enough for a weekend warrior like me. Work just gets in the way of the windsurfing way of life.

Well it's been about fifteen years since we have done any real sailing, other than the occasional one with dad. Now that our kids are much older, and the youngest at age fifteen has taken a liking to sailing with grandpa, it's time to do it again.

So here is my dilemma. I loved sailing the 16. The boat is just a world of hurt when the wind picks up. There is nothing more exhilarating than burying the bow six feet under and getting flung twenty feet or so into the water. My wife on the other hand, probably will not agree with me. Fortunately I am older and smarter, and after twenty five years of marriage know that a happy wife means a happy husband.

I am looking for a do it all boat. Hiking is a must. Speed is a must but is also relative. If I'm alone I will be the fastest. If I am with a couple of nacra 6.0s, probably not unless I have a jet ski. The ability to sail with two or more people and a dog just for the fun of it is a must.

I noticed that Hobie makes the Getaway. It looks like a Wave on steroids. I have sailed the wave. Fun for the kids but not exactly exciting. I am hoping some people can shed some additional light on the Getaway. Nacra has the 570 but they are very hard to find up my way (so is the Getaway) and they cost an arm and a leg, even used.

We will use it on lakes and the ocean.

Pete

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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
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peterk123

Hi Everyone. Just found this forum. Lots of great info here.

Well it's been about fifteen years since we have done any real sailing,

Pete

Pete, Welcome to TheBeachcats.com and welcome back to sailing!

You didn't mention your location, what kind of water will be sailing? Will you have a place to keep the boat rigged or will you have to travel every time to sail?

Total crew weight? Big factor in modern beachcats.

A WHOLE lot has changed with the new model boats during the last 15 years. Spinnaker rigged boats have taken over racing and pretty much all the new models have them as at least an option, even the "recreationl" models.

The Getaway is sold and marketed as a (larger than the wave) resort or family boat that can carry a large load but still fly a hull. It's faster than most here will admit. It's also lot cheaper than the fiberglass boats to buy new also.

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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We live in Massachusetts, but we will probably join fleet 448 again and split our time on Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island and Webster lake, which is about a 1000 acre fresh water lake in Mass. We will be towing the boat. My wife and I are about 290lbs wet.

I don't race. Tried it a couple of times but just never had the patience. I really enjoy bombing around on a reach but it would be nice to go out and cruise somewhere once in a while as well.

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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
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Totally biased opinion: get a Super Cat.

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'82 Super Cat 15
Hull #315
Virginia
Previously owned: '70 H14, '79 H16, '68 Sailmaster 26, '85 H14T
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peterk123

We live in Massachusetts, but we will probably join fleet 448 again and split our time on Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island and Webster lake, which is about a 1000 acre fresh water lake in Mass. We will be towing the boat. My wife and I are about 290lbs wet.

I don't race. Tried it a couple of times but just never had the patience. I really enjoy bombing around on a reach but it would be nice to go out and cruise somewhere once in a while as well.

So you have good places to sail and you are light enough for just about any beachcat. So now the choice comes down to your budget and what you can find close to you. It's always a plus to have others in your area sailing the same boat. After the Hobie 16, what would be the most popular in your area?

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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Get the most boat for the least money. Heck they are all fun. I didn't know what a 5.2 was until I bought it.

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Nacra 5.2
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p16!

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Rob Jones
1976 Yellow p-16 - parts is parts - hulls cut up
1978 Yellow p-16 - in good working order
1979 White p-15 - parts is parts - hulls cut up
1985 White p-15 - good working order
1982 White NACRA 5.8 - project boat.
1986 White p-16 - in good working order
1975 White Hobie 3.5 - PM me if you want it
--

DamonLinkous

peterk123

We live in Massachusetts, but we will probably join fleet 448 again and split our time on Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island and Webster lake, which is about a 1000 acre fresh water lake in Mass. We will be towing the boat. My wife and I are about 290lbs wet.

I don't race. Tried it a couple of times but just never had the patience. I really enjoy bombing around on a reach but it would be nice to go out and cruise somewhere once in a while as well.

So you have good places to sail and you are light enough for just about any beachcat. So now the choice comes down to your budget and what you can find close to you. It's always a plus to have others in your area sailing the same boat. After the Hobie 16, what would be the most popular in your area?

Budget: Fairly open but I would like to keep it around $5,000. I have kicked around the idea of a new boat as well because my sense is that we will have this for several years. I am starting to finally settle down regarding all the outdoor activities I do, limiting it to just a few things. With that said, I could not see myself purchasing a new nacra; they are 'spensive. The hobie 16 and getaway new are probably my threshold for dollars spent. The getaway is actually not a bad deal until you start to add the wings and a trailer.

Hobie 16s around here are abundant and can be purchased cheap. When I belonged the Fleet 448, nacra 6.0s and the Miracle20 were the kings of the bay. I suspect many of the serious sailors are sailing the Hobies and nacras in the 20 foot lengths. Way too much boat to sail with my wife. She would have a heart attack. She enjoyed the 16 until we got into the heavy chop. She really like the speed of the boat. I suspect she would be most comfortable with a higher volume hull that is less prone to the risk of pitchpoling. Mind you, it was not like we were always flipping the boat. I was just a big fan going block to block and using our bodies to level out the hull when sailing. Again, she probably would not agree with that statement :)

I also do not want to lose sight of the fact that it would be nice to be able to have the room for one or two more people at times. While the 16 can do it, it really becomes a dog.

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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
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can't go wrong with a h-18 if you can find one in decent shape for a decent price

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Mike Conway
H16
Hilton, NY
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CatsailorMike

can't go wrong with a h-18 if you can find one in decent shape for a decent price

Agree, Hobie 18 is one of the best general purpose boats that will not throw your wife through the air in a breeze. They are probably one of the easier used boats the find.

H-18, P-18, N 5.7

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Tim
Collierville (Memphis), TN
Supercat 15--sold :(
Hobie monocat--given
Vanguard 15--traded for...
Nacra 4.5--sold
Nacra 5.7
Hobie 14–sold to make room for...
Supercat 17–sold
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You asked the usual question and got the usual answers. These are all good suggestions.

Quote

The getaway is actually not a bad deal until you start to add the wings and a trailer.

The Getaway is my favorite boat, I've owned 3 other Hobies. I bought my Getaway new with wings for very inexpensive, I got a used trailer for almost nothing.

Well, an old sailing friend owns a getaway so we are going for a little sail today. I am looking forward to getting out. He has nothing but great things to say about it. He raves about how well thought out it is.

I have narrowed things down to the getaway or hobie 18. I am certain I would prefer the 18, but I want to be thoughtful about what my wife would enjoy more. The reason I am considering sailing again is so we have something to do together during the summer. Her enjoyment is key.

18s are certainly easier to locate around here, and can be had for half the price of a used getaway in most cases.

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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
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If you go with an 18, look for one with wings. I love my 18, but if my crew had to sit on the jib blocks all the time I don't think they would like it nearly as much. With the wings you get a much more comfortable place to sit. Using the trapeze off of the wings is also a blast, you get this feeling of flying above the water.

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Scott,
‘92 H18 w/SX wings
‘95 Hobie Funseeker 12 (Holder 12)
‘96/‘01/‘14 Hobie Waves
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i have a lead on a Prindle 18. It looks well kept from the pics but I wont know until I get there. The owner believes it is from the early eighties. It was stored inside during the winter for the past five years he has owned it. He is asking $2200 with a trailer. Anything in particular I should look out for with the Prindle?

It seems like this boat may fit what I am looking for. Big enough to have a few people and a dog on it. Beach friendly because there are no daggerboards, not a lot of lines on the boat so we can chill out on it easily, and plenty of speed to have fun with two sailors on board. Do you guys feel I am on the right track?

I think the price is reasonable if it is in good shape. Pete

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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
--

Prindle 18 is a great boat, stable platform, built like a tank. On all catamarans, we check for soft spots which indicate delamination, press gently but firmly over the entire length of each hull, top and both sides, with the palm of your hand, you will feel a soft spot, or hear a crunching sound where delam is beginning. Ask the PO to rig the boat with you and take pics of each step if necessary. Check both standing and running rigging visually, check mast for dings and make sure it is straight, check diamond wires and all sheaves, top and bottom. Take a flashlight with you and remove port hatches and check inside of the hulls, with flashlight off, check to see if you can see light shinning through the hull bottoms, this is an indication of just how thin the bottoms might be. Check the rudders and make sure they are in good condition and the rudder mechanism works good......http://www.thebeachcats.c…e925ca36761bf356f0aae579

Have the owner unpack the sails and check them over, check for holes, fraying etc, especially along bolt-rope and around clew plate. IMO $2200 is a bit on the steep side, but if the trailer is in really good condition, all lights and rollers work, it has 12" or 15" tires and it has a sail box, boat has extras like an arriba tiller extension, harnesses and beach-wheels, great, I would make a cash offer of $2000 and see what happens, but take $2200 with you just in case. If the boat does not have all the extras I would not go above $1800, depending on condition of P18.

All of this will take time so make sure you take this into consideration when setting up your appointment to view boat, ask the PO if he does not mind setting up the boat with/for you.



Edited by the-renovator on Aug 31, 2013 - 06:49 PM.

Thank you, that is very helpful. Pete

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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
--

Does the P18 come with spreaders/diamond wires? I seem to see pics of some and without?



Edited by peterk123 on Sep 01, 2013 - 05:51 AM.

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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
--

Yes! the P18 does have spreaders/diamond wires. You will also notice that the mast step hinge is situated on the side of the mast instead of on front as in P16/H16, this makes for a slightly more difficult mast step procedure as the spreaders do become a bit of an obstruction. You will definitely benefit with putting the P18 on the trailer backwards, then when you have to step the mast, the forward mast holder on the trailer is already holding the top half of the mast at about a 35-45 degree angle from horizontal, move the mast untill the mast base touches the mast step, rotate mast sideways, connect the mast step link pin and standing on the tramp with your foot braced on the rear beam, man-handle the mast vertically, remove mast step link pin, rotate mast, have someone connect the forestay to the bridle wires. Hopefully you are in good physical condition, but there are a few tips to help to make the procedure slightly easier, if possible, try make the forward mast holder adjustable by adding an insert, this will allow you to extend the mast holder, putting the mast higher, less effort to boost the mast up to vertical. You could also park the boat and trailer on a slope with the bows facing downhill (remember the boat is on backwards), this will also give the mast a slightly higher angle but is not always possible, hence my 1st option being the mast holder extension.

If you have any other questions, feel free to text me at (five 7 three) six 7 three-five one nine six

R

Thank you so much. I will take you up on your offer. I just got it home. Two and a half hour drive each way but it was worth it. I ended up paying 1800 for it. It is a 1980. The hulls are beautiful. I can;t believe they were that nice. Either someone did the paint job of a life time or the deck is still perfect. I have never seen the deck of any cat that still had a gloss finish. They are always sun faded. Not this one. The sails are old but not torn. My dad sent his nacra sails out for a refurn several years ago. They did one hell of a job, so I will do the same over the winter.

He even had a bob for the top of the mast. Not sure I will ever use it but it probably can come in handy if I ever solo.

Trailer is good enough. I will probably put 12 inch wheels on it if they will fit.

The owner prior to the one i purchased it from drill quarter inch holes in front of the tramp through the lip of the deck. I guess he had a cargo net for gear there. I am not a big fan of penetrations like that becasue it exposes the cloth. However, the lacing system for the tramp relies on holes through the lip. Should I epoy them? There is zero sign of delam.

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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
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Here she is:

https://lh4.googleusercon…/IMG_20130902_123652.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercon…/IMG_20130902_123624.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercon…/IMG_20130902_123632.jpg



Edited by peterk123 on Sep 02, 2013 - 10:56 AM.

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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
--

congrads on the boat! your gonna love it..so easy to deal with, the wife won't be put off by it. the best thing to do with the old prindles is to balance the helm and tune the rudders as per the owners manual and the boat is piece of cake. load that puppy up and go have fun, she's low maintenance!

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bill harris
hattiesburg, mississippi
prindle 16- "BLUE RIBBON"
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P18 is a great boat. Congrats.