I bought a Hobiecat 18

I couldn't pass up a deal that I saw on Craigslist for a Hobiecat 18 and trailer for only $200 bucks.  There's definitely work to be done, but it's in pretty decent shape!  I already have a list of problems to overcome just to take it home from the SC Harbor parking lot  . Namely first, I have no idea how to take down the mast, or if it's even doable single handed.  Trailers in rough shape, but I think it could make it home.  Hopefully registering it wont be too much a hassle, been a long time since I had to do that.

Brah!  You brave li dat!  Go big or go home!  Hope it all works out and slay on that puppy if that’s your goal.

Cool!

As for the mast, I was launching my AI at Lexington one day when somebody was launching one of those Hobie catamaran models. I helped him put the mast up. On that particular boat, it was doable solo, but definitely not easy. He certainly appreciated the help...
 

I fully support this purchase…..looks like a fun new toy Al. 

Congrats on the new boat 

Nice!

Look forward to your YouTube videos of you crossing the equator with your hobie. Please don't take ,Bacon.

Serious, look forward to seeing you on the water in it and I am sure , Bacon will Love it!!

Al

Looks like fun. Congrats!

Al

sweeeeet!!
so jealous, those are great boats.

for the mast, yes you can single hand it, but you need to make or buy a jig of sorts to help you out.

$200 damn!!!! I wish I'd seen that, or maybe I'm glad I didn't...I've been told I have too many boats.

not too much can go wrong with those boats, tramp is easily replaced, sail - may be useable if it was stored cool and dry, lines replace them all.  any dings in the fiberglass you can either bondo or do a real glass job on it. Bondo is great unless you want a show boat.

I'd love to sail it with you sometime.
see ya,
Brian.

Congrats on the new cat.
Yes, taking down the mast is doable single handed, but way easier with 2.
Putting it up single handed is much trickier.
There are lots of videos, and Santa cruz has a Hobie dealer (West Coast Sailing) where you can get information.
In a nutshell, the mast is hinged on the back, and to lower it, you remove the boom, attach a rope to the forestay (with jib) and run the rope through the a block on the trailer and through a jam cleat or around something to take the pressure. Disconnect hte forestay and lower the mast aft  using the block and jam clean to control the lowering onto the tramp cross bar. then disconnect the hinge, slide the mast forward and secure for trailering.   Many many videos on youtube.  There is an active (if small) Hobie Cat 18 fleet with lots of helpers available around S.C.

P.S., whoever said I hope you slay on it... well.... as far as I know there is no way to stop a Hobie 18. If you plan to troll at 8-12 knots it would be great, but i don't know of any way to stop the boat to drop a line down unless it is dead flat calm. Even with the jib rolled and the main luffing, it will go downwind very quickly. Number 1 rule. Do NOT get separated from the boat!

I'd love to sail it with you sometime.
see ya,
Brian.

For sure that would be a bunch of fun!  Once it's ready to sail I'll be sure be asking for volunteers to crew 

There are lots of videos, and Santa cruz has a Hobie dealer (West Coast Sailing) where you can get information.

The only "West Coast Sailing" that I've heard of is in Portland:
https://westcoastsailing.net/
Searching online, I see that there is also a "West Coast Sailing Club", but that's in Canada. According to the Hobie website, the only dealer in this area that handles their fiberglass sailboats is Wind Toys, with Kayak Connection being the Hobie dealer in SC.

happy for you Al!  That's a heckuva bargain, what can you buy for $200 nowadays!  Hopefully not too much of a project, and if you need some dumb unskilled labor, holler atcha boy

Cool!
Good Luck on ur new toy Al!

Scotty

Wow!  What a deal!