I'm wondering what would be the best boat for me as far as:
1)ease of handling solo (boom vs no boom)
2)pitchpole potential
3)speed
4)maintenance(softspots,hull wear, etc.)
5)rigging time

Any input on these comparisons would be appreciated.

I only have a few days on each, but IMO:

1) A push. The boom isn't much of an issue IMO, but it is one less thing to worry about. On the other hand, the boom does allow for better sail trim.
2) The 5.0 is less likely to pitchpole
3) Another push, they are about even.
4) The H16 is probably a little better in this regard. Parts are very easy to find and are dirt cheap since so many H16's have been produced. For this same reason the initial purchase price of a used H16 with likely be cheaper as well.
5) Another push.

Oh SH!^, here we go again!

Go here, and you can read all the wisdom these forums (fora?) have to offer on the subject:

http://tinyurl.com/gr3ej

If I may summarize....

The N 5.0 is apparently some magical craft that was delivered directly from the hand of God.

The H-16 is a pitchpoling, "agricultural" relic of prehistoric times that's reserved for "thrashing monkeys". (I love mine, however.)

I've seen the N 5.0 in action, but never sailed one....looks like a great boat.

Jerome Vaughan (AKA Thrashing Monkey)
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi

And, it was never designed to handle 21st century waves and shore break.

I have owned and sailed my H-16 for 21 years. I usually single hand it and sail mostly on lakes though occasionally on the ocean. I don't think I would single hand it on the ocean just for safety. The boom is no issue and no problem.

Pitchpoling is a possibility with the H-16 which has a tendency to bury a bow but I have only done it twice that I remember. There is a deflector plate that I have seen mounted on the bows to stop that but I don't know how well it works.

Speed- I have clocked the H-16 at 18 mph with a GPS. There were times when I was going faster but couldn't look at the GPS, I was too busy. I believe the Nacra is faster but I don't know from experience.

As for maintenance, I have done very little in 21 years. I replaced shrouds a couple of times and the rudder cams which are almost an expendable item. I did wear the bottom of the hulls down dragging the boat on the beach. Someone helped me build them up with resin using aluminum tape to form channels and pouring the resin on. It is not shaped to the hull but I never have had another problem in the 12 or 13 years since it was done.

I step my mast by myself and timed it at a little over 15 minutes. Raising the sail after launching is another 10 or 15 minutes.

I have heard (only by rumor) that the Nacras are a little lighter construction and don't stand up to abuse. I have no complaints about my H-16 and wouldn't trade it.

Howard

As I stated above, the H16 and the N5.0 are are about dead even in regards to speed (PN for the H16 is 76 and the N5.0 is 76.2 I believe).

I think the hulls are a little more fragile on the Nacra. My friend has had his crack a couple of times now from the compression on the bows. The crack ran down the length of the bottom of the hull and had nothing to do with any impact. He just re-glassed the problem area and it now seems to be holding okay. Regardless, I'd consider the H16 to be a little tougher if that is a concern. The upward sweeping hulls make it better suited for coming onto the beach as well as the Nacra wants to dig right into the beach (rocks?).


Given the choice of the two (and money was no object) I'd take the N5.0... but money is always an object and in the long run I think the H16 is about the cheapest cat you're going to find. Given that the pros and cons seem to even out with these two (as this has been beaten to death), I'd suggest you save yourself a fair amount of money and go with the cheaper H16... save that cash for the next step up after the 16 footer. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


BTW, one other thing you might want to consider is class racing. Given the huge popularity of the H16, you're more likely to find fleets with the Hobie if you ever wanted to race. I have to think the H16 is probably the most common class around.

sorry to be off topic here, but hrtsailor, you say you raise sails while out in the water and not on a beach??? if this is correct, i would really like to know how you do it, because i have the hardest time in the world getting the main up when not on a beach, if i am mistaken on what you mean, please correct me

Buy the Hobie! A Hobie contains more FUN that any other boat. Just don't buy one with soft-spots.

Newbie, I raise my Tiger sail all the time on the water, in fact I never raise it on land. After trying and fighting many hours I found / realized that it was best to launch the boat and pull it off a distance and moor it (using a "pull-off" "jokes off") Then I raise the sail with ease as the boat stays aligned with the wind.
The beach that I keep my boat on is too small to manoeuver my Tiger so I have to raise my sail out of wind always. Because of various reasons I don't bother to launch into a headwind off my beach.

Sorry to be misleading. I raise the mast in the parking lot then launch the boat and raise the sail on the beach. I was trying to describe the time for rigging and it is a 2 step operation.

It would be difficult to raise the sail on the water. In an emergency I guess you could raise the main and not clip the "slug" on the top of the mast. The jib could be raised but getting enough tension on the shrouds would be a little more difficult.

Howard