Alternatives to Hobie 14

Well it appears half my message was cut off. Maybe to many parenthesis.

I like light weight 14' cats. An H14 would do the job, but I have never liked the suspended trampoline concept. Are there any other manufacturers of light weight/ small cats? or should I just build my own hulls and use a donor cat for rigging and foils?

Mystere 4.3 or Blade F16.

The 14 will be the easiest and simplest solution buy far IMO. However the Nacra 430-450, Prindle 15 are also possible candidates. The Isotope is a lightweight 16' boat with can be considered.

I used to have a Freestyle 474. Cool boat, like a 15 foot single handed Nacra. The daggerboards really take the sting out of tacking without a jib.

If you can find a SeaSpray it might be something you'd like. Less than 200 pound single hander.

http://thebeachcats.com/pictures/?g2_itemId=3925
http://thebeachcats.com/pictures/?g2_itemId=4012

The Freestyle 474 looks perfect. Unfortunately, Mobile is not known for Cat sailing. Not sure why. I am going to email the Ocean Springs Yacht Club and see if someone has an old cat in their backyard.

I cannot find a thing about the Freestyle Cat Co. They must not have a website. I read that Boston Whaler made them for a time.

I made a CL ad for WTB 14' Hobie cat or similar. I have had good luck in the past. Bought a 1984 BMW R80 that way.

I know you are not a fan of the raised tramp, but it does have its advantages, of all the cats I've sailed, the raised tramp on the Hobie is by far the best in terms of "dry ride", its only when I sailed other cats with the deck level tramp that I realized just how much that raised tramp helped in keeping the sailor dry. That being said, have you considered the H14 Turbo? That additional sail area the jib gives you makes a big difference, and its a furling jib, throw on a square-top main-sail and you have a pocket-rocket

A turbo would be fine with me. Any cat is better than no cat. I have sailed an H14 & H16 before. Much dryer. A little harder to get on one. There is on H14T for sale near me but they want $1200. I normally buy boats in the $25-$600 range. (they are normally crap too. lol)

Up for a road trip?

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/boa/4465169181.html

Haha! a bit far for you and no trailer, but I did see one in VA, try www.searchtempest.com and look around, use the direct search mode

lol. now you are cooking with gas! That is the kind of deal i am looking for. I am texting with guy in Slidell, LA with a hobie 14. No trailer, tramp and mostly bad mainsail. not a turbo.

I think i just convinced myself not to bother.

Check out this H-14T in New Orleans
http://neworleans.craigslist.org/boa/4464862372.html

http://mobile.craigslist.org/boa/4436336309.html

This looks like a H14, you can get the turbo kit and be sailing quick

Check out this beauty...... :top:

http://okaloosa.craigslist.org/boa/4393953048.html

oh yeah!

Prindle 15 is a nice boat.

I'm one of those guys at OSYC... and yeah, there's 2 guys off the top of my head that have 3 Hobie 14s between them and they're all in good shape... and mine's in great shape, except I just sold it to someone as well.... and OSYC has one in great shape too they may be willing to sell you for a good offer... e-mail fleetcaptain@osyc.com on that latter one.... or they may not want to sell .... come on over for slip 2 ship.

WOW!!! I didn't know they made a Supercat 15! How cool is that!!!

That thing must be a rocket!

turbohobo wrote: Check out this beauty...... :top:

http://okaloosa.craigslist.org/boa/4393953048.html

oh yeah!

WOW!!! I didn't know they made a Supercat 15! How cool is that!!!

That thing must be a rocket!

turbohobo
Check out this beauty...... top

http://okaloosa.craigslist.org/boa/4393953048.html

oh yeah!

Yeah, I called the guy. It is gone.

I'm one of those guys at OSYC...

I just emailed him. Thanks for the help!

Is this worth buying?
Hi, I have hobie 14 for sale. It is an 81. Originally it was yellow with tequilla sunrise main sail. Someone repainted the hulls with red house paint (which I have started to sand off. Tramp is clean, but has a tear.
There is a small hole in one hull. ( So small, I put waterproof tape over it and sailed it...hole is from nut/bolt on trailer)
the rudders need new cams ($25)
The original sail was partially left in the sun and has tears from been wrapped around the boom and is in poor, but I think repairable condition. The second sail is called tidal wave and is in very good condition.
All the standing and running rigging is there and in good shape, new halyard.
I am asking $450.
I am starting to fix her up and the price will go up as I do more repairs.
No trailer, but the bolts are out right now and would be fairly easy to put on a truck. I'm willing to deliver for the cost of my gas. ($25)
You can text if interested and I can send pics from my phone.