I was there at the release of this video when the 18 was introduced...it was awesome! Hobie Alter was there, too. The power of the 18 in a strong breeze is scary. No singlehanding...you'd never right it if you went over!
I almost exclusively singlehand my H-18 Mag. Getting it up in the ocean is a breeze. The least little swell can get the mast tip up enough to start emptying the sail. It's a little more difficult on the inland lakes. Standing on the wing seats will do it but I've done it just standing on the daggerboard. - I am 6'3 205# ← ballast and leverage
And they were never seen again. Rest in Pieces. Just Kidding. That was so awesome. As I and the wife were restricted to lake sailing, we were usually in pretty mild conditions. Recently sold the Hobie 16 as we simply were not making use of it with my age of 69 years and some health issues. But so many great memories. Even entered a racing event with my wife serving on the jib. NO.... we did not win.
We had a few jumps on our 19 year old Hobie 18 this September. The violent hit and following vibration in and through boat and rig hurt in the heart. I honestly think that any two jumps cost about one year in the boat's life.
Have been totally airborne on my 18 numerous times... not as much air as these guys but the landings are not bad at all and it is not hard to stay on trap. Just be sure your trap lines are in good shape or this is the moment where it will part. That happened twice to me once and loss of my counterbalance had the boat capsize as the lee hull got stuffed.
Been there, done that. I was attempting to cause failure of some (any) attachment points of the aluminum-frame as it bolts up to the imbeds in my 5.2 NACRA. After about an hour of flying up and off some fantastic glassy huge swells entering the Outer-Basin of Nawiliwili Harbor here on Kauai, a steel imbed tore out through the deck. Question answered ! Since then, every one of those 16 hardended locations in the decks have been internally reinforced. Was it fun breaking the boat? Every time !
you can google i bet for better than me - but as an old 16 racer from the day (car license plate was H16FLYR) - my recall, which you likely know already - was He transitioned from making surfboards to the Hobie 14 in Dana Point, CA - certainly he modeled after the Hawaiian outrigger canoes - but other than that he was the first i know of to make a fiberglass catamaran sailboat. and he nailed it. I did get to ride in an elevator with him at the Hobie 18 worlds in AUS in the early 90's... nice guy. too bad his daughter didnt flirt back! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-O3-5WCbFsMs.htmlsi=7Z9kCjics-h2z8lF
That is almost a guaranteed crash on the other side of the wave - something the video neglected to show. What in the hell fun is that? I call it a disaster. Thumbs down.
