I am a H16 sailor and selling it because I solo 99% of the time. When wind gets to 15+ the 16 can be a beast to keep under control by myself. I have the opportunity to purchase a H17 of Supercat 17 both same condition and same price. Ive always wanted to solo trap out on the wings of an h17 but have always had the SC17 on my radar and a FAST capable cat Need help deciding. I am 45y.o. 178lbs. I trailer sail all the time to a local boat ramp. I am concerned about the difficulties rigging the SC17 and its massive extruded mast compared to the H17. I have never have trouble with the H16 I'm in the water in 20 min.
Thanks!!

SC17 is an awesome boat. You can buy a gin pole to raise it from Aquarius. The mast is heavy but in no way insurmountable. I'm 5'6" 155 and can raise it by myself, but will accept help if someone's nearby. The 17's bows are very bouyant and the boats are very tough. The last one I had I put a self tacking jib on it.

Can't speak for the H17, but the SC17 will be sporty solo in 15+ winds as well.



Edited by lakewateree on Jun 04, 2016 - 10:10 PM.

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Mac
Midlands South Carolina
AHPC Viper USA 366
A Cat USA 366
Super Cat 17
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The H17 sail is undersized for most people, so a jib is a great upgrade. However as the wind picks up an undersized sail can be a good thing. So if you issue is the 15+ mph days, th H17 might be a good match. Use jib in light air, no jib when it picks up. Never sailed a SC17, but based on my experience with a SC20 I am betting it is a really nice setup. Might be a wet ride though.

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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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180 lbs, you are basically at the ideal design weight for the 17. I'm not familiar with the SC, but have sailed and raced the H17 for over 10 years. They are pretty simple, easy to sail, fun, and reasonably well built (they have their quirks, but all boats do). If you are ok with lifting the H16 mast, then the 17 should be no different. Rigging time is quick if you keep the rudders on you are looking at 20-30 minutes realistically. Add another 5-10 if you remove the rudders. They really are pretty simple boats. Definitely inspect closely for cracks in the crossbars (including removing the crossbars either before or after you purchase). That is the main weak point in the design IMO.

sm

smfinley

The H17 sail is undersized for most people, so a jib is a great upgrade. However as the wind picks up an undersized sail can be a good thing. So if you issue is the 15+ mph days, th H17 might be a good match. Use jib in light air, no jib when it picks up. Never sailed a SC17, but based on my experience with a SC20 I am betting it is a really nice setup. Might be a wet ride though.

smfinley, Its an H17 sport and comes with a jib , what you said is what i have been thinking. I also want to beat a couple of the local 16s here. Is the H17 faster? I KNOW the SC17 is. As far as a wet boat. What boat isn't wet. Ive sailed waves in 30 knots so being in a washing machine isn't a problem for me. The H17 is a '94 2nd owner boat, used the past 10 years by an older couple never even pushed hard or sailed with the jib. I am pretty sure before looking that the beams will be in great shape especially from the overall look of the boat proem the photos.

I think as far as single handing goes the 17 is your boat. It is faster than a 16 upwind for sure, other points should be close to the same. The 17 will tack better for sure. You have center boards to deal with but I'm sure you have thought about that. Great when they are working but they can be one more maintenance issue.

If you get the SC17, plan on a roller furling jib and good outhaul/downhaul systems to depower. If you are ocean sailing it's hard to beat Supercat hulls. Great boat but I don't think it will be an easy heavy air solo boat, although the extra buyoncy goes a long way

Full disclosure I have not sailed either boat but am familiar with the deigns and have sailed alongside both designs off various beaches.

From my SC20 experience sitting on the hull pushing it in moderate air is like drinking from a fire hose. The water rolls up the rounded hull hits the crossbar and instant shower. On the trap is fairly dry from the knees up. The elevated tramp of a H16 is totally different. Most cats without a raised tramp will kick up spray on the downwind hull but SC's shoot spray on both sides. Never sailed a SC17, but the design looks identical.

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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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You can't beat a boat with wings as far as staying drier is concerned.

As far as beating a H16, it really all depends on the sailors, the boats are very close in performance. We had a regatta this past weekend where the 18's, 17's, and a lone 16 all started together. The 16 sailor is one of the best in the country and he beat them all (I'm talking straight time, not corrected/handicapped).

Regarding the crossbars, it is as much a matter of overloading the boat as it is sailing the boat hard. The 17 was originally designed as a solo boat. When they created the "Sport", they increased the load on the boat (additonal person) without changing the design of the platform. Even if you think the boat has been lightly sailed, I would still check the crossbars. I've owned 2 H17s and gone through several crossbars between the two boats. I would definitely give a close inspection to a 1994 boat.

sm

IMHO
If it was me, I would buy the supercat
I've owned 2 hobies and from what I can tell the SC are a better built boat (don't have the cracking and other issues in the body or spars like Hobies are known for)

I sail with a guy and his wife they each have supercats (actually JUST sold one) - they are very fast on their SC's

I have sailed both SC17 and SC19

they are fast, sail very well and can easily take crew (and yes - wet)
designed for a jib and can handle a spin too

Can't really say those things about a h17

The Hobie 17 is truly A ONE MAN BOAT if you add the second person it becomes a dog. Very little positive buoyancy in the hulls.
If you are concerned about getting wet catamarans are not for you
I have sailed both and I would choose the Super Cat over the Hobie 17
If you can try and sail both with 2 people aboard

Everyone keeps talking about being wet. Lets be clear. I don not care about being wet. Im sailing a beach cat. That being said. I do appreciate all the input. Making my final decision end of week for the purchase. Still up in the air and leaning toward the SC17. I spoke to Aquarius Catamarans regarding a gin pole for $130 I can get one made for the boat. with that I think stepping the mast should be pretty easy and really wouldn't mind eating hobie 16's for lunch...lol. On the flip side. I AM perfect size to solo the H17 sport which will be 99% of the time and if sailed at the same skill level as an H16 should still beat it out......will let you all know the final outcome. BTW both boats are a steal at $1000.

tdsurf

BTW both boats are a steal at $1000.

Then buy both! Try each boat, and then decide which one to keep. You will have no trouble of selling a nice H17S for a $1000.

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Jack B
Hobie 17
BC, Canada
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jackb

tdsurf

BTW both boats are a steal at $1000.

Then buy both! Try each boat, and then decide which one to keep. You will have no trouble of selling a nice H17S for a $1000.

HA!! I'm already driving for 5 hours away for one and the other 5-1/2 hours....then would have 2 boats in the driveway and a that would make the "admiral" not very happy.

Disclosure, I have a SC17, never seen or sailed an H17. If you have reasonable confidence in stepping the SC17 mast on your own then get that one. I just lift mine, it is a grunt but as an earlier poster said, not insurmountable. I find going down with the mast harder than going up. I like that Aquarius is still there, are happy to talk to you and great parts support.

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Cranbrook, BC, Canada
SuperCat 17
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Friend Ben went from Prindle 16 to hobie 17 after storm damagedbprindle. When he moved to Fla none of the cat sailors were interested in the h17 here's why, way too low in the water you can only sail w goggles, retractable daggers never consistently operable-sand always jams them, craft just wasn't as fast as Prindle 16s, hobie18, or nacras, with the sport jib! not as solid acat as supercat, not as responsive in high wind conditions, not suitable for surfing, etc,etc.

Well....here is what happened. I made a decision and went for the Supercat. drove 3 hours got there at 9am. The boat was apparently sitting for several years along with a Nacra 5.8 sitting maybe longer with crushed hulls due to snow load on trailer and a monohull on blocks. I looked at the SC17 and there were vertical stress cracks in the port hull from under the forward cross member to the bottom of hull. Then go to the other side to find a horizontal crack about 8" long side of the hull between the stays and the forward crossmember. I press the hull and hear crunching sounds. The guy looks at me and says....oh thought that was just a scratch.....I f#cking hate stupid d-bags. The guy knows I was driving 3 hours you would think he would be straight up about the condition. So off I go. Drive down the street and call the woman selling the H17 sport and tell her Im running late then drive another 3 hours further north to see that boat. I show up and find the H17 Sport in near mint condition, fresh water boat very lightly sailed. I knew the sails were going to be delimitated and was prepared for that but as she pulled out the sails from the garage she also pulls out a sail bag and boom and say "oh, this is a racing sail we never used.....I almost fell over. So I quickly pulled out the cash and hooked up the trailer and drove 6 hours home. What a day, but one HELL of a find. Im actually glad it turned out this way. I love the look of the H17 and can't wait to take her out.

On the way home I also sold an old set of H16 sails to a guy which we arranged for $300. The H17 was $1000 so I actually got it for $700.....Im a happy man!!

tdsurf

On the way home I also sold an old set of H16 sails to a guy which we arranged for $300. The H17 was $1000 so I actually got it for $700.....Im a happy man!!

Sounds like you came out great, whether the Hobie 17 turns out to be your dream boat or not.

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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Looking it over more I emptied the sail bag and I rolled out the "racing sail", mind you this H17 is a sport model...Contents included a full boom, stays to convert sport to SE model and the main is a mint White laminate racing main...I think that may be worth alone more than I paid for the boat. I could actually race this Hobie class legal if wanted. The rudders were white. But not polycarbonate "plastic" rudders. They were also EPO rudders under further inspection. This deal just keeps getting better.

Looks like you got a smoking deal! Congrats

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Jack B
Hobie 17
BC, Canada
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Yea that sucks!
A good lesson for other people looking for a cat..
I would recommend getting a bunch of high res images of the boat. Ask the seller to show close ups of the beams (esp around the bolts), the hulls (esp around the beams), rudders and the bottom of the hulls.
If the seller doesn't want to do this for you, defiantly don't take a long drive for the boat

Sounds like it all ended well.... congrats!

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The guy looks at me and says....oh thought that was just a scratch.....I f#cking hate stupid d-bags. The guy knows I was driving 3 hours you would think he would be straight up about the condition