Hobie Cats?

[cannon_fodder]

I posted this on a Hobie website and figured someone here might have some insight.  Also on my list of things to figure out would be where to store the boat?  But that, clearly, is putting the storage ahead of the boat (that was a bad one).

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I have read over the forums seeking similar advice, but have not really seen a discussion that fits my circumstance. I hope you are willing to help.

I am a young attorney living in Tulsa, Oklahoma and have a 7 year old boy that loves the out doors and a wife that is into the outdoors also. I used to go sailing on a large mono haul a friend owned and loved it, but never really got to help that much (it was like a 44' boat on lake Michigan). My wife and I have been on large cat's and other larger sailing vessels in the Keys and loved it. Nearby to our house someone is selling a mono hull for $2X,000 and when we drive by we lament about wishing we could afford it.

So when Tulsa's Hobie Fleet 25 had a "learn to sail" day we jumped at the chance. The family piled into the Nissan and headed to one of many nearby lakes (4 large lakes within an hour of my house). And we had a blast! We got to sail/help sail a 16, 18 and 20. Everyone really enjoyed themselves even though the winds were only 6-8 mph.

So, now we are left considering whether or not to run out and buy a Hobie, and if so, what size?

That's where you come in:

1) I want a boat that I can take out my small family and another couple on if we wanted to. I understand we wont be breaking any speed records but just to sail around a bit.

2) Neither my wife nor I would want to jump into racing straight away. However, it is likely that down the road we would get more involved and would at least like the possibility to be there.

3) I'm 27. I kind of want a fast boat. But at the same time I do not have much experience and have heard that something like a Hobie 20 is too much boat for us.

4) I am not one of those wealthy attorney's. So money is somewhat of a concern (stupid student loans), I'm definitely interested in getting the most for my money.

A guy in Hobie 25 had an 1981 Hobie 18 for sale for $1500 but it had original sails and tramp and as I understand it the early 18's are HEAVY.

I know I have lots to learn and more to research before actually finding MY boat. So I thought I would tap into some experience and see what the community thinks. I received mixed reports from the Hobie Fleet 25 crowd as to what would be appropriate and what the cost would be. I greatly appreciate any insight, if we decide to buy expect to see a "what do I look for!" post in the not to distant future.

Thank you in advance,

Jesse

[MsProudSooner]

Have you contacted anyone at the Windycrest Sailing Club at Keystone?  Here's a link to their website:  WindyCrest

Years ago, my husband and I had a small sailboat, a Dolphin, and found it to be a lot of fun and very relaxing.  I don't know anything about catamarans or bigger sailboats, but the folks at WindyCreat have boats of every style and size.

[cannon_fodder]

I actually saw them on the lake when I was out with the Hobies.  The mono hauls (apparently) do not associate with the catamarans.  Mono hulls think they arent 'real boats' and the catamarans laugh at the lumbering lack of speed of the mono hulls. I do know many people have both and it does not appear to be actual dislike, just kind of jabbing each other.

The Windycrest club caters to mono hulls.  Which I can not really afford.

[Conan71]

Here's my .02:

Hobies are a total kick in the pants to sail.  Especially when you can fly a 'toon.

I believe a 16' would be very cramped with the three of you and a couple of friends.  An 18' would still be tight, a 20' about right.  Remember, most people don't like being on the leeward side of the boat when it heels.  You really don't want them on the lee side when you are flying a pontoon on a catamaran.

I think the price of the '81 model sounds reasonable.  Looking at what shows up on eBay it's comparable and you don't have to drive 700 miles to find out you just bought a total POS from someone who doesn't know anything about boats.

Here's how to look at it: It's your first boat.  As long as you don't beat it up too bad learning to sail it, it's always going to be a $1500 boat.  The part about the original sails and tramp may be a concern.  But, even if you blow out a sail, you can always find spares for these and they still make many of the sails and parts.  Look for any repaired damage on the pontoons, cracks in the aluminum spars, etc.  PM me and I will be happy to go look at the boat with you.

Who cares about the weight?  That's racing snob talk.  You'll find that a lot of the Cliff Clavins on sailing bbs don't really know what they are talking about.  "Heavy" may be 50 lbs extra weight, heavy only matters to serious racers and a good sailor on a heavier boat will always outrun someone who doesn't know anything about sail trim on the latest and greatest equipment.

Sounds like you have a large back yard, storage shouldn't be a problem just as long as you can keep lumbering Rex off your boat. [] Sun is by far the worst enemy of sail boats (and trampolines).  Keep it tarped when not in use.  Or you can get a dry storage space at Redbud at Oologah for around $40 per month.  It's 1/2 mile from the launch ramp.

[cannon_fodder]

It is impossible to get an 8 foot wide trailer into my backyard.  It isnt a matter of just tearing out the fence, I mean there is no where to get in at.  I only have 8' on either side of my house... its simply not possible.  I could try to persuade a neighbor who's house is set back to let me put a gate in on that side, but then I have to make sure she is not in the way when I want to move my boat.  No to mention it would require severe fence modifications (3 poles out).  So it does present a bit of an issue.  The $40 a month would be more than the boat is worth in a few years of paying...  not to mention you are kind of stuck with that lake then (I'm not going to Oolagalah to pick up my boat and meet some friends at Keystone).

I'm not worried about weight, just that... well,  I have this primal urge to have the best.  Dang it.  I usually try to resist it, but it is still there.

I'll probably end up with the cheaper 18.  But I found a 20 in Colorado for $3,000 I kinda sorta really want.  Though the drive is foreboding. Grrrr... I can always upgrade and sell the 18 to a friend so I can still have-ish it.  Now I'm just rambling.

[Conan71]

Got space to store it at work where it wouldn't be vandalized?

[cannon_fodder]

Our lot is very secure.  Fence, barbered wire, camera's, and a live security card for our shop and the plant next door (we are on a dead end).   But that didnt stop some jerk from rolling back the fence on the highway side, backing in, and stealing a trailer.  Black Jeep with no license plate and a new 15K pound goose neck trailer - jerk.  However, I'm confident they would take something worth more than the 5K max I'll have in this boat.

But I can not store it here, if I did all the guys would want to start storing their stuff also.  I will probably think about it, but it just probably wouldn't sit well and I hate to pull crap I wouldnt let the crew pull.

[Conan71]

Sounds like you don't have a choice but to pay storage somewhere.  For a lot of people, storage or slip fees are just a fact of owning a boat.  You might see if you can impose on a buddy in exchange for sharing use of the boat but that opens a whole other can of worms.