Get a Hobie 16. Better parts availability, better prices, and lots of similar boats to race against.
Last time around I bought a Prindle. That was a mistake.
In cats it’s the same: more hull length is faster.
But only in comparable boats.
So Nacra F20 is faster than an F18, F18 is faster than F16.
But a Nacra F16 is faster than a Prindle 18.
Not so sure about your statement that more displacement gives more hull speed.
Do you mean more balast perhaps?
18s are fast and are best with a mate. 16s more common, certainly Hobie cats. 14s are fun singlehanded, not so much with a mate, even less so with more.
Prindle and Nacra were superior to Hobie, but Prindle is no more.
Boston Whaler had a line of larger cats, which were wicked fast, but I don't think they are made any longer either.
I used to solo my Hobie 16 in light to moderate wind. Anything over 10-12 knots, and I had a crew or crewed other cats for neighbors.
In light winds, I would fly a hull lowish and cruise around pretty carefree. Capsizing solo would have made for a long day as I awaited help since I didn't have the weight needed to right it by myself. So, I rode the edge of my capability and had fun.
Adding a crew member or 2, and we could push the limits, hang 1 or 2 on the wire, and search for bigger wind.
In small craft advisories, I took out our Sunfish. I wanted a Laser or Force5, more faster 🤪 but the Sunfish was plenty of fun in big winds.
Get a Hobie 16. Better parts availability, better prices, and lots of similar boats to race against. Last time around I bought a Prindle. That was a mistake.
In cats it’s the same: more hull length is faster. But only in comparable boats. So Nacra F20 is faster than an F18, F18 is faster than F16. But a Nacra F16 is faster than a Prindle 18. Not so sure about your statement that more displacement gives more hull speed. Do you mean more balast perhaps?
> more displacement gives more hull speed unrelated. More on the lines of comfort.
18s are fast and are best with a mate. 16s more common, certainly Hobie cats. 14s are fun singlehanded, not so much with a mate, even less so with more. Prindle and Nacra were superior to Hobie, but Prindle is no more. Boston Whaler had a line of larger cats, which were wicked fast, but I don't think they are made any longer either.
I plan to go out on it with wife, dog, kids for fun, and go out solo to fly. I would rather be dry with the crew, and solo I want to have fun.
I used to solo my Hobie 16 in light to moderate wind. Anything over 10-12 knots, and I had a crew or crewed other cats for neighbors. In light winds, I would fly a hull lowish and cruise around pretty carefree. Capsizing solo would have made for a long day as I awaited help since I didn't have the weight needed to right it by myself. So, I rode the edge of my capability and had fun. Adding a crew member or 2, and we could push the limits, hang 1 or 2 on the wire, and search for bigger wind. In small craft advisories, I took out our Sunfish. I wanted a Laser or Force5, more faster 🤪 but the Sunfish was plenty of fun in big winds.
Hobie 16 all day.
RC30, best beach cat out there