Hello, I'm new here and want to buy a Hobie Cat Bravo. If you know where I should start, please let me know. I'm in Edmond, OK. Preferably used. Thanks.
Welcome. Any particular reason you are focused on the Bravo? You might also want to consider the Hobie Wave, which probably has a much larger used selection out there. And also a very good choice for a new person to get started with.
Sailing alone and need to be able to right it. I believe that it should fit in my truck bed and eliminate the need for trailing it. Please, correct me if I am wrong. And, finally, I need to squeeze it into my garage. /www.thebeachcats.com/modules/bbsmile/pnimages/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt="icon_smile" /> " rel="lightbox">/www.thebeachcats.com/modules/bbsmile/pnimages/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt="icon_smile" /> " alt=" " width="250"/>
i am sure the bravo is a great learning cat, but if you are willing to do just slightly more (work) than needed to lift a plastic catamaran into your truck...
I would suggest a getaway (as even the wave is to small for me).
I would recommend you go find a local hobie fleet and ask for rides.. or find a dealer and ask for demo's (or at least sit in one and have them trow some water on you) :)
Sounds like you know what you want! The Bravo is a cool little boat, when you get yours be sure and share some pics of your truck/Bravo combo.
Just don't don't back your truck completely into the water and float it off the way I witnessed a jet ski owner do it.
As far as where to buy one, you aren't as likely to find a used one as older designs.
The Hobie dealer here in Memphis usually has a Bravo on the lot, I think they go $2,999 list plus freight. I'm not sure if they can be drop shipped direct or if you would need to come to Memphis to pick up.http://www.rookesails.com
Despite what his website looks like they are a long time Hobie dealer (since the 1960's)
I would also suggest looking into the Wave. You would have to trailor it but it is quite a bit more boat for the money and you wont outgrow/outskill it quite so quickly. YOu might want to trailor the Bravo anyway as getting any boat in and out of a truck is a 2-3 person job.
Just don't don't back your truck completely into the water and float it off the way I witnessed a jet ski owner do it.
OK, I will try to keep the truck dry!
Thank you everyone for the help. I am looking into a used 2007 Bravo but it is in MT. Quite far from OK. Does anyone know where to start with a reliable way to have it shipped here?
It might cost less over all to buy used and pay shipping rather than new from manufacturer who will drop ship it here because there are no dealers around. I am still waiting for a price on that so I can compare.
No final decisions yet. Keep the comments coming, I appreciate them and hope I can become experienced enough soon to help someone else.
You can bid out a shipping request on uship.com. I was looking to ship a H-18 once and it was going to be about 50 cents a mile. The boat was too far, shipping too much, the deal died.
Rather than ship, I made of list of acceptable cats, figured how far I was willing to drive and started searching on http://www.searchtempest.com/ which allows you to search multiple craigslist cities all at once.
Searching for a specific boat, and not incurring shipping or a very long drive is going to require patience. I don't have that.
i would keep an open mind about a decent entry level cat also...once you take a ride on one you will immediately become addicted...the bravo can't satisfy that itch as well as a hobie 16 or prindle 16 and both can be solo sailed easily,righting one is a matter of experience that you will quickly gain. but then an older boat may have issues that you don't feel comfortable with, either way , you will be sailing this season!
-- Check out "Prindle Sailors" on Facebook!
bill harris
hattiesburg, mississippi
prindle 16- "BLUE RIBBON" --
Ok, so after more consideration, I have decided on the Wave instead of the Bravo. Thanks for all your support.
Sailed one at a resort in the Bahamas last fall...I blew past people on H16s, I am guessing they weren't up on sail trim.
I was really taken back how much fun and how fast it was. Plus the rotomold plastic hulls are pretty appealing.
There is a great Hobie dealer in Dallas, TX, about 3hr away from you. http://www.mariner-sails.com/
Hobie is doing some promo events with them in April so you may want to call and check it out.
I think you made the better choice. When searching for my first cat, I rented a Bravo. Later I sailed the Wave in Barbados, the Wave wins hands down. The Bravo was a fun little boat, it's major appeal is for very small people, think kids. The mast stepping can be done by a 12 yr old, but the system is not as robust as the Wave. The one I rented was already bent, & took some finagling to get the retaining screw threaded in. The Bravos roller furling is advertised as a safety device if the wind comes up, but it doesn't sail well, or at all with the sail furled part way. I sailed it for 3 hard days, against my 28 yr old Bombardier Invitation, & the Bravo was slower, no matter who was sailing it. It is a light boat, & a single person could lift one end into a truck, then go around & toss the other end up. As for storage, you need to hang them from the ceiling, or put up with them flat on the floor. IF you stand them on their side, the hulls will deform. I think Hobie says they can be stood on end.
The Wave rocked!It is a pretty fast boat, much faster than the Bravo, my wife & I had it out in 20 kts & never felt it was going to pitchpole or flip, even when we hit some waves that buried the hulls to the crossbar. The twin rudders are very easy to lift/drop & work better than the single on the Bravo. You might have liked the Bravo, but after a ffew days you would have itched for the Wave. Good choiuce
-- Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap --