I will answer a few questions from Mary in an upcoming issue of Catsailor about the recent gain in popularity of this great boat and why I'm sailing one . So, why do YOU sail a 14?

Bob Curry
1985 Hobie 14 "RETROFIT"

Bob do you agree that if you start off and learn how to sail a 14 properly you can easily make the transistion into the bigger cats.just curious as to your thoughts on this issue.
mike

Absolutely! The 14 is like the 'pitbull' of catamarans: hard to master. Take your time and don't be in a rush. But once done, you will be able to make a great transition to larger boats.

Bob

i weigh 155 so i can right it, i also singlehand my 16 but i have to be more careful and reef if the wind goes over 12 kn. the 14 is very sensitive to weight trim , when racing i'm all over the boat to reduce wetted surface, lift the sterns, keep the leeward bow down while pointing, etc, and all this trim stuff relates to the 16. i notice that a lot of 16 sailors and others just sit in their favorite little comfort zone near the back of the boat, wondering why the leaders are walking away. oh i almost forgot the real reason, cause its so much fun! like dancing with a slender redhead who follows every move and responds to subtle pressures

Reasons:
1. It is challenging, yet simple.
2. Not everyone sails an H14, it is different.
3. Spare parts are abundant and cheap.
4. Never need a crew.

^ I could say the same about my H17

i noticed at my last points regatta that two people seemed to be working together to even raise the main, let alone the mast on the 17. thats a beautiful boat and i want to sail one. i need a singlehander on the beach as well as on the water. do you have problems rigging? i would consider getting a 17 (one is available here) if i felt i could deal with the rigging situation on my own. seemed to require a lot of energy. my 14 and 16 take little effort and time to get going when i get off work and hit the beach for an afternoon sail.

I assume you are talking about a Hobie 17 uni.
In some ways, rigging a Hobie 17 is very different than a Hobie 16.
On the 17, you are hoisting the entire 200sf of sail at once.
On the 16 the 218sf is hoisted in two sections.
The sail on the 17 is about two feet longer.
The main(only) halyard on the 17 is internal and runs out the sheeve in the rear of the mast base.
Which means you have to pull up on the line or walk to the back of the boat and pull towards the stern(time for a helper) or loop the line around the rear crossbar and lead it towards the mast and pull forwards.
The last 3-4 feet can be difficult if you forget to spray the boltrope.
It seems like many of the 17 sails need to be hand fed into the sail track also.
If the 17 is sitting on the ground or cat tracks the mast has a considerable rake and can make catching the halyard hook difficult.
A 17 should be quicker to rig than a 16.

hey i'm pretty spoiled, my 14 and 16 both have roller furling, they sit on trailers at the sailing club, mast up , pre rigged with main furled on the tramp and lines connected. i can literally be sailing ten minutes after i drive through the gate.

I've managed to rig a system on my H17 where I can hoist the mast single handed in 5 minutes on the trailer. It does help that I'm above average height and have young muscules, but the mast is considerably lighter than a TheMightyHobie18's mast. Also, taking the trailer off of the hitch on your car, CAREFULLY raising the mast is easy, with the nose pitched down.

Bob,

I sail the MOAH, the "mother of all Hobies". A classic from the birth of our enjoyment, its easy lighweight and catches the eye of admirers.

Mike

Why do I sail a H14, because it is fun to sail, very sensitive to ones weight distribution, great in the surf, and all out fun in a blow. It reminds me of a Laser in that you have to learn how to sail it and to win races you have to sail it well and get everything in balance to make it go just like its bigger brother the H16. What other small cat requires so many skills and techniques to make it perform at its best. You can keep learning on a cat with so little adjustments and really focus on ones skill level on not on what hardware you have, or the latest and greatest trick gear. There is so much to the H14 beyond what meets the eye. I am glad to see the H14 making a come back here in the US and Europe, in the world for that matter. The H14 truly is a classic!