Advice on Sail Boat Purchase

HI Edward, welcome to sailing and welcome to thebeachcats.com, your source for all sailing questions.

It is my experience that people are in 'love' with the idea of sailing, for many different reasons, perhaps it is the sense of freedom that sailing promotes, I don't know. I can tell you this, there are 2 types of sailing, leisurely sailing and extreme sailing. you have to decide which one suits you. Leisurely sailing entails walking down to the dock with an icebox full of goodies, hopping aboard your monohull with the family, starting the motor up, putter out into the deep water, and raising sail for a nice leisurely day of cruising around the bay. Extreme sailing entails all sorts of safety gear, hauling your catamaran down to the water, setting up, checking wind direction, wind speed, sailing out to deep water and screaming across the bay as fast as you can go.

Your decision would take into consideration many factors that I'm sure other sailors here will fill in, geographical location, access to water, physical fitness, health and of course you need for 'thrill factor'. Monohulls are much slower than multihulls but have the benefit of a weighted keel to compensate for the push on the sail, not to mention some have a galley, head, sleeping births, etc, depending on length. Multihulls have a tramp stretched between 2 (or more) hulls and one sits on the tramp, to compensate for push on the sail, you use your body weight out on a trapeze wire, requires physical exertion most of the time sailing, cramped sitting position and very little clearance between boom and head. But the thrill factor is intense, nothing like zipping across the water, trapped out on the side of your catamaran, doing about 15-20 mph.

There are many other factors not mentioned in above post, too many for me to include, but I'll leave that up to other sailors. I know that all the forthcoming info will help you make an educated decision based on your personal circumstances. A good source for used sailboats is craigslist, use www.searchtempest.com to search all of the CL database, as well as this website for multihulls.

Happy Sailing
Turbo

:nospam:

welcome edwardsone!

sail power saves lots of gas money! no dead batteries, gummed up carbs, mechanics bills etc.. your fist step will be to find your local scene and meet some folks and let them take you sailing. your learning curve is shorter with someone teaching you the"ropes". take a little time to identify your preferences before you buy...and don't be afraid to ask ?'s!

good luck!....einstein loved sailing...free energy!

Welcome, if you are looking for a cat I would suggest looking into the Hobie Getaway or Wave. Both sound like they would meet your needs right off the hop with the Getaway providing room enough for 4-6 people. The Classified adds here are a good place to find a used boat.

Regards,
Dave

ome have a galley, head, sleeping births, etc,

Of course we recommend you go to the hospital for this

Edward,

Welcome to the site and to sailing.

Please tell a little more about where you are sailing, you mentioned keeping the boat on a mooring. Beachcats by their nature are designed to sail "off the beach" and more difficult to deal with when the only access to them is a dock, and most will not take well to staying in the water on a mooring all the time.

I am hoping to be able to "pull it up on the beach" as to a mooring? There are a couple of possibilities; one beach (sandy) is in the protected harbor, the other is a sandy beach on the Pamlico Sound (back side of the island) that is not protected.

Thanks for the effort!

I have a getaway and love it but that being said I am looking for a more performance oriented boat to sail without my wife and daughter. I think the Getaway would suit you fine.

Are you interested in selling the Getaway? If so, where are you located? Thanks for the response!

Hi edwardsone,

There is a guy in Duck, NC that has some used Waves and Getaways for sale. He has an ad on the Hobie forum:

http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=32519

There is also a Hobie dealer in Nags Head. They sometimes have used boats on hand.
http://www.kittyhawkwatersports.com

Dave W
Tampa, FL

Edited by DaveW70 on Nov 08, 2010 - 11:02 AM.

edwardsone wrote: Are you interested in selling the Getaway? If so, where are you located? Thanks for the response!

Nah I love it too much. The guy Dave W70 is talking about has some really good prices on the used Getaways that already have the wings installed. I would recommend giving him a shout if you are anywhere within 750 miles of him. As long as they are in good shape you could keep it for a while and sell it if you didnt like it and recoup most if not all of your money. They really hold their value well. Good luck. 😀

11/8/10

What are the primary differences (up-side and down-side) relative to pruchasing a 1983 - Hobie 16 relative to a newer say 2009 Model Wave given my situation (age 62, novice, two grand kids etc.)? I think the Hobie 16 has a Jib Sail also?

The H16 is constructed with fibreglass hulls and will only carry 2 adults, sails better with 1, the Wave has rotomolded plastic high volume hulls, more durable, and will carry 2 adults, 2 kids no problem. Your better option if you go with a beachcat, would be the Getaway, rotomolded hulls, front tramp, wings, jib sail. Does require a higher level of skill to sail though.

the h16 is a much higher performance boat than a wave
the h16 requires more time to rig, has a taller (and heavier) mast to step
the h16 will not facilitate 4 people
the h16 does have a large overlapping jib (that can be a bit of a pain)

the wave is a 1 person boat (2max), not for 2 adults + 2 kids (and no jib unless you get the upgrade, but i hear it doesnt work to well)

the getaway seems like the correct fit for your needs, front tramp for kids, wings for comfort, semi decent performance, close to indestructible body for crashing into rocks and beaches, furling jib incase the winds get to much... etc. you can always sell it and upgrade next season

Edited by MN3 on Nov 08, 2010 - 09:05 AM.

My first thought was also a Hobie Getaway when I read your initial post. I think the wave will be to small for what you want, and a H16 may be a little to much boat for a novice to take his grandchildren out on.

The Getaway was designed to do exactly what you are looking for. A good performing, durable recreational boat for a family to enjoy. Get one with the wings and front tramp and you (and your family) will have yourselves a great time.

My first thought was also a Hobie Getaway when I read your initial post. I think the wave will be to small for what you want.

--
Scott, H18M in Chicago
--

Edwardsone, I agree with Scott. I was in your position, deciding on the correct boat for myself, and posted my thoughts and questions here last winter. Scott and others were very helpful. I bought a Wave. Good choice for me alone or with one person (with enough wind), easy to rig, and a great boat to learn on, however, not good for four people. From what I have heard, a Getaway is the right size for four.

Keep asking questions as you learn more about sailboats and the sailors on this website will help provide their knowledge. They are great!!

I have a Optimist Type (cement box type hull) 9' long, 4' wide Wooden Sail Boat. It has two sails. I have had a "reefer" put in one of them. It has a center board that tilts up. It also has shrouds, forestay and backstay. This boat was made by a friend some 50 years ago. What is the thinking as to using this as my first boat (training on) as opposed to purchasing a Hobie Wave or Getaway as my first boat? I am indecisive as to the Wave or Getaway thus putting off the decision makes some since if the exsisting Optimist Type will work for traning purpose?

The Optimist Type does not have a drain plug in the bottom. My thinking is to install one so the boat will not collect water? I then can leave the boat in tact up on the shore relative to the ease of "going sailing" (not have to rig it each time). Any thoughts on this?

I have an Old Evinude 3 HP Outboard that has the gas tank in the head of the motor. Will this work on the Hobie Wave or Getaway. If I keep the Hobie in the harbor, I am thinking it would be good to use the Outboard to get out to open water?

I still think once you learn to sail that the Getaway would be a great boat for you. I see people trying to put 4 people on H16's and it just isn't a good fit. I suppose you could go up to a H18 or Narcra 5.8 or P18, but that is a lot more boat. Heavier, more complex, but also faster. But compared to the monohull you are looking at sailing, the Getaway will likely feel like a rocket ship. If you are torn between the wave and Getaway, I think you and two grand kids will soon outgrow a Wave. The wave is a good 1 person boat and can work with 2, but more then that you won't be moving much.

With the furling jib the Getaway could go from sitting on the beach to rigged and ready to sail in under 10 minutes if you wanted. Just need to get the main out, raise the main and push into the water. I think they make a motor mount for the Getaway.

Where I sail there are a lot of Getaways on the beach. It really seems to be the boat of choice for family oriented sailing where I am. Probably about tied for the most with H16's. We do have about about 200 cats stored on the beach, with probably 1/3 H16's, 1/3 Getaways, 1/3 other.

A Getaway is not a peformance race boat compared to some other beach cats, but I don't think you are looking to for that. It sounds like you are looking for a good recreational sailboat, which is exactly what the Getaway is. The Getaway may not be a race boat, but will likely be faster then all the monohulls you will see on the water.

As for learning to sail on the Getaway I think you would be fine. I had never step foot on a sailboat and picked it up quickly on the Getaway when I purchased it. As for the motor I am buying a Suzuki 2.5 for the back of mine and having a guy from the Hobie forums build me a mount for it. The mounts are not cheap but they are stainless and worth it if you ask me. I dont like the idea of being stranded out with a 3yo on board. Cheatah makes a mount that is a little cheaper but it isnt stainless. Go ahead and splurge for the Getaway, I assure you if you are not looking to be flying a hull all the time you will not be dissapointed on the purchase.

sail the optimist now for sure, you can't appreciate how fast the cats are unless you do some mono time...get comfortable with sailing on it and the step up to cats isn't as hard. the cats are a little tricky to tack compared to monos but asside from the big speed difference, the concepts are the same.

Heck, if you have free use of the Optimist, use it. The fact is, as you learn you will flip the boat a few times. The little monos are easy to get back up, & you can learn most of what you need to know in a stable safe environment. When you do make the inevitable beginner mistakes, the $$ won't be much. Those Getaways will still be around next season.
Then if you decide you want the thrill of taking all 4 people out & ripping at speeds not imaginable on the Opti, go for the Cat.

Edited by Edchris177 on Nov 09, 2010 - 04:39 PM.

I definitely agree with EC here. Learn to sail on what you have. The optimist is a nice small boat and isn't overpowered. Cats have some peculiarities to them compared to mono hulls but you can pick up 90%+ of what you need to know sailing a mono. Putting 4 people on an H16 isn't impossible but I wouldn't recommend it, you have to move alot on that boat and you will likely end up tipping it more than you would like.

The more you describe your situation the more the Getaway makes sense to me. It's a nice relatively big boat with lots of floatation and room for 4-5 people. It's very stable compared to many of the more performance oriented cats (and much more stable than any non-keeled monohull). The hulls are rotomolded plastic which is extremely tough and durable (fiberglass - not so much). The sail area isn't overwhelming so you can cruise around with the kids and you can get bigger custom sails if you get bored. The wings make is extremely comfortable with the wing seats/back rests (my knees really take a beating on my Nacra). And although you won't be winning any races against the H16s of the world it is still faster than just about any monohull of comparable size. I think that Hobie does make a motor mount, if not there are a number of manufacturers that make universal mounts and a few guys here that can help you with plans if you are handy enough to make one yourself.

😀

Edited by turbohobo on Nov 10, 2010 - 07:51 PM.

😡

Edited by turbohobo on Nov 10, 2010 - 07:51 PM.

edwardsone wrote: I have a Optimist Type (cement box type hull) 9' long, 4' wide Wooden Sail Boat. It has two sails. I have had a "reefer" put in one of them. It has a center board that tilts up. It also has shrouds, forestay and backstay. This boat was made by a friend some 50 years ago. What is the thinking as to using this as my first boat (training on) as opposed to purchasing a Hobie Wave or Getaway as my first boat? I am indecisive as to the Wave or Getaway thus putting off the decision makes some since if the exsisting Optimist Type will work for traning purpose?

Sounds good if the boat is complete and seaworthy, if you are at the "sailing for dummies" stage the first thing is to get out there. If you have anyone who knows how to sail that can go with you it will vastly shorten your learning curve. It's not difficult, but many things aren't obvious.

The Optimist Type does not have a drain plug in the bottom. My thinking is to install one so the boat will not collect water? I then can leave the boat in tact up on the shore relative to the ease of "going sailing" (not have to rig it each time). Any thoughts on this?

Is the boat so big you can't just dump the water out of it? This boat has gone 50 years without a drain, sounds like it doesn't need one, just something else to leak or forget to do before you launch.

I have an Old Evinude 3 HP Outboard that has the gas tank in the head of the motor. Will this work on the Hobie Wave or Getaway. If I keep the Hobie in the harbor, I am thinking it would be good to use the Outboard to get out to open water?

Don't do this right away, carry a paddle or two and don't get too far from home, after a season you can decide if an outboard makes sense. Usually outboards are only carried on beachcats when there is know other choice, like having to launch from the back of a crowded marina where there is no chance of sailing in and out.

edwardsone wrote: I plan to use the boat on the back side of Ocracoke Island, North Carolina where we reside. Use would be in a salt water environment in "shoaly water", say 1' to 20' (channels and shoaly water). The boat would be moored in Silver Lake Harbor (on the shore) or the back side of our Island (on the shore of the Pamlico Sound)?

Ok, when I first read this I didn't realize exactly where you were located. You Must Start Sailing, you live in an area like most of us daydream about. Do it for the landlocked sailors, do it for your grand kids, just do it. :jump:

I've been vaguely following this thread with a few ideas running around my head. At first my thoughts were a beach cat is a bit lively and on the edge to learn sailing while teaching the grandkids. Seeing as you are on the ocean my first thought was look for an F-24, F-27 or maybe the newer F-22 design. I love the Farrier tris and it seems like nice way to bring people along and not get boring (unless you're my kids). But, the price, even used, is beyond what you can get a well outfitted beachcat for. I don't know your price range. Then Yesterday I saw another note in another file and it made me think of this thread, a Weta. Not boring, light and easy to set up, stable and fast. it struck me as a good solution.

Oh, the optimist thing, maybe for the kids, but not an adult. When was the last time you got on a small boat like that? I know Sunfish are a lot smaller and unstable than when I was just a kid. I found an optimist cramped when I was 12.

Look into a Weta, it might be the solution you're looking for.

maybe renting a cat for a day,or enlist a guide for a lesson& general whats up.

When we lived in Hampton, VA, I would drive down to the Outer Banks hunting for surf, had many good waves at Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo, met a couple of Auzzies running a superb restaurant at the pier at Rodanthe. We would take HWY 12 down to Hatteras and hop on the car ferry over to Ocracoke. From Ocracoke one had the choice to take a ferry to either Cedar Island or to Swanquarter, never did take that either of those ferry's, regret it now. I always was amazed at the people living on the Outer Banks, hardy bunch, if a tsunami just 10 feet high swept in on the East Coast, it would carry over most of those sand dunes no problem, and then of course there are the hurricanes.

But when the weather was good, what an awesome place to live for a waterman, sailing, surfing, diving, snorkling, fishing, more sailing....

resilient bunch, hmmm... :denk:

Without a doubt, the Hobie Getaway. Very family oriented boat, easy to set up and super durable. Get a set of Cat Trax and you can drag it up and down the beach with just two people. Plenty of them for sale on the internet. Google "Hobie Getaway for sale" or just look in the classifieds of sites like this one or the Hobie forum. Would recommend taking a few lessons from someone with experience before you venture out on your own. You live in great location and your family will absolutely love it.