I have always wanted to learn to sail. There is a 1984 Hobie 14 for sale nearby that I am considering purchasing to get me and my kids on the water. My son is 14 and daughter 12. My goal is to let them explore a new way of having fun and get me somewhat educated about sailing.

How dificult is it to learn on one of these boats?

What do I need to watch out for in purchasing this boat of this age?

How much money should I expect to spend maintaining this boat each year?

Can two people feasably operate this boat or is it best for one?

Can someone with no sailing experience learn to operate this boat without lessons?

Thanks for your help!

mkrienke,

Welcome to TheBeachcats.com,

I'm not the most experienced with the Hobie 14, but it sounds like a 14 could be a good choice for your kids. Learning to sail is not a difficult skill to learn, it's much easier if you have an expericenced sailor with your the first couple of times.

The H14 is meant to be a single handed boat, they usually don't have a jib (front) sail, but only the main. That makes things simpler to setup, and less ropes (lines) to deal with.

On any used fiberglass boat, make sure all the parts are there (helps to have someone with you who knows what's supposed to be there.) and that the fiberglass hulls have not become "soft". This is most often a problem on the decks, place your hand flat on the deck and push firmly and you shouldn't have any noticable "give" to the decks. If they feels squishy or you see visible cracks, that indicates serious problems.

The Hobie 14 is so simple that you and your kids could set it up and learn to sail it with just the assembly manual (avaible on hobiecats.com).

Let us know how it goes, and please fill out your profile (link in main menu) so we can get to know you.

Good Luck,

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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