I have been a hobie 16 sailor for roughly 20 years. Have always sailed off the beach on the east coast of Fl. I don't race. I enjoy rough conditions and especially sailing in and out of the surf. I buckled the post on my last Hobie and was unable to find a slightly used one in my area. The local boat dealer at the time had a prindle escape and convinced me to buy it. I really like the bouyency and the tendency not to pitchpole but hate the rudders. Also, the boat seem underpowered (duh) especailly trying to get our thru larger surf. Also, the boat does not seem to handle very well in the surf. I was originally thinking I would sell this boat and get another hobie 16, however in reading some of the other posts I am thinking there may be better options. I am not really all that familiar with what is available and what might work for this type of sailing. Anyone have any suggestions?

http://www.sailingproshop.com/catamaran.asp

The pricing suggestions are a little outdated.

really for your type of sailing the 16 is ideally suited since it has no dagger/centerboards.

There are some nacra models that use skegs instead of boards that would fit your bill. They have more hull volume than the 16 and will be more forgiving on the pitchpole front.

I was thinking SuperCat 17.

I sail a 18 magnum off the coast. The 18 can take the sand, is more powerful than a 16 and can get airborne in strong air with 3 - 6 ft rollers. Pull the daggers outside the surfline and no problem. Sailed a 16 for many years. Like the ride of the 18 better in the ocean.

nacra 5.0

Honestly, there is likely nothing better than a Hobie 16 for sailing in surf and rough conditions. The hulls were specifically designed for riding waves and sailing through surf. They are built very tough. The tramp is high and the forward crossbar raised...all better for these conditions.

http://www.catsailor.com/forums/sho...28&an=0&page=1#Post80328

http://www.catsailor.com/forums/sho...48&an=0&page=2#Post79948

http://www.catsailor.com/forums/sho...5&an=0&page=12#Post77905

http://www.catsailor.com/forums/sho...7&an=0&page=29#Post71097

This is correct. They were designed to go through waves and surf....




... back in the 1960's.

That's right. They're worthless in 21st century waves and surf. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

haha i love the healthy competition. wait, did i say healthy? ah screw it. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

honestly though, the poster says he's sailed a 16 for 20 years so i don't think we necessarily need to do reinvent the wheel of hobie 16 up-to-date-ness debating. Some serious - oh no, serious? - yes, serious things must unfortunately be considered. this includes... 1) will you be sailing with a group of friends, just one crew, or solo? 2) are daggerboards an issue? 3) how much performance are you willing to sacrifice for more simplicity and stress-free ease-of-use? for a group of 3 or 4 people, a hobie getaway or 18 would fit the bill, since both of these are fun boats for casual cruising. i don't think the 18 would have any problem going through surf, but the getaway is underpowered compared to the 16 and i'm not too sure how it does in east florida surf (i sail there too). i've heard that the getaway is great for the solo sailor who sometimes takes out some friends, and that single-handed, the getaway is just as fast as the 16. if you're just sailing solo or with one other person, getting another 16 is one option, but you could also get a Prindle 16 which shares the Escape's buoyancy. as for the rudder system, i'm not too sure.

I went to vero beach a week ago and walked on the atlantic side for a few hours and saw a 3 or 4 Hobie 16's, 1 Hobie 18, and 2 Prindle 16's. This may provide some insight into what some people with your conditions are choosing.

Where on the florida east coast are you?

Thanks for all the advice. My only beef with the hobie 16 is the float. I will look around and see what I can find slightly used. Is the Prindle Escape an underpowered Prindle 18? Do all Prindle/Nacra boats use the rope operated rudder systems?

Will FL - I grew up sailing at Crescent Beach (near St. Augustine) and still do. Back in 'the day' on any given weekend at least 10 hobie 16's and a few prindles would be out. Today its about 25 PWCs and the Occasional H16. Saw a getaway recently. A guy comes down from Atlanta a few time a year. Looks like a pretty nice boat. The wings seem like a concern. Love to fly a hull and wave jump in the inlet. Simple is good. Not really focused on going fast in flat water. Some of the new Nacras without daggerboards look good. I would like to find something used because we leave it on the beach thru the summer.

the design is 40 years old. durka durka.

How about a 57 Chevy, a 59 Vette an old Indian Chief or a Harley Pan Head. Throw in the Hobie 16.
You can like the timeless American classics or the flavor of the day.
To each his own as mom said.

Mike, Love the modern surf comment

40 year old design? First one was delivered in 1966:


Right about the time the Hobie 14 was conceived.

another 40 year old design <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Yes you are right the volkswagon is an old design. Have you ever driven on? not much fun compared to a new civic.

That rightfully so, is sitting still AT A MUSEUM as I type this.

It was decommissioned because it was inefficient. Wow the similarities are boggling!

I'll admit to finding the association between a Hobie 16 and the SR71 blackbird hard to followw.. but Hey! ... speaking of the SR71 blackbird....

http://www.teamseacats.com/2006/07/06/the-sled/