I also learned to sail on the hobie 18 about three years ago. I had never been on a sailboat before. I took it out first in gusty 10-15 had a blast and I was hooked. I left all the extra adjustments alone on the 18 until I was comfortable sailing, but now I really appreciate them. If you see a good deal on a TheMightyHobie18 closer than Tennasee I would check it out.

Oh yeah my record for rigging is 30 min. (stepping mast, installin rudders, in water, etc.)

Here is what looks to me to be a very nice, very clean Hobie 18 in california in the bay area.

http://www.craigslist.org/eby/spo/39663204.html

This add has been running for a while, I thought it was sold, but then they re-posted, you might be able to low-ball them and get the boat for alot less than they are asking.

That one's a little expensive for my blood, but what do you guys think about this:

http://www.craigslist.org/sby/spo/39424301.html

Is the SolCat 18 any good, compared to the hobie and prindle?

You'd be hard pressed to find parts for a Sol Cat.

Good point... still, beautiful looking boat, and cheap price.
But you're right. If the tramp or sail needed replacing... god help me.

Nah....tramps and sails are easy to get replaced. Any sail maker can make a set of sails for it if you give them a luff and foot measurement and some details about the boat. Trampolines are easy to by supplying the same measurements to someone like Sunrise.

The hard stuff to find are things like rudder castings, boards and rudders, and special hardware.

If you like that type of boat try looking at http://www.home.earthlink.net/~soapysails/ I think there are still some seasprays for sail under the buy and sell link. Although the gentleman who owns this site has moved out of california, i think that some boats are still here for sale. Not positive, but if you like them maybe worth checking out.

Looking at the sea sprays, the main sail looks a bit small, don't you think? Also, would it be tough to get parts for it?

I think I'm most interested in a prindle 16. They seem pretty standard, they'd fit on my RV pad, they don't pitchpole easily, and they're light.

hhehehehehehe, i only have so many resources, There were a couple prindle 16's on www.recycler.com The last time I looked. this is also a california classified thing. Did you look on craigslist to see if they had a classified page closer to your area, i know they have several across the US.

Hahahaha closer to my area... Salt Lake City is really in the middle of nowhere. LA, San Francisco and Denver are the closest I have to real cities. They're all about the same distance away (Denver is closest, but LA's an easier drive).

Astoundingly, Salt Lake City is listed as a future metro area for craigslist. Considering SLC is only slightly bigger than an Amish community, that's pretty impressive!

Thanks for the help man. Let me know if you spot something!

Buy a prindle or hobie (get an 18', you will regret t if you don't). Parts are easier to find (and you can find used sails, tramps etc) and there are large owners groups who will be able to give you help and advice on any problems you may encounter.

I have a g-cat 5.7 (18.5') and 4 adults is quite a full load and that includes the fact that I have a front trampoline . Plus 4 people don't move around so quickly so you will most likely all wind up in the water if there is any significant wind.

Be patient and you will likely find something within easier driving distance than Tennessee, think about it you are talking about $500+ transportation costs to drive down and get it, plus a week of your life. Not to figure in any problems you have with trailering it home (tires, bearings...whatever).

Good Luck

ps I live in Denver and there are always Cats for sale in the denver post
Since the sailing season is over

What you leave set up is key. I trailer my boat. I have a G-Cat 5.7 (18') and I remove my rudders for trailering. It takes me 45 minutes to release the trailer tie downs, remove the rear mast holder, attach rudders, step mast (2 people requires), raise & furl jib, set up the main sail (no boom), tie off fenders, attach cooler launch. When I was in a mast up storage all I had to do is the sails so it went much faster, ten minutes tops. Once it is in the water, raising the main and infurling the jib only takes a few minutes.