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The International Hobie 18
The Hobie 18 was introduced in 1977 as the performance cat that would take the Hobie family of boats to the next level. Designed with symmetrical hulls and daggerboards. The boat also incorporated equipment not available on earlier Hobie designs. Two prime examples are the Roller Furling Jib and an integrated traveler track on the rear crossbar. Another significant departure from previous Hobie designs was the loose footed Mainsail. Integral hiking / trapeezing wings Spring-loaded pivoting daggerboards controlled with a single line Mylar / Dacron taffeta sails First Hobie to be designed with a Comptip New rudder castings that would be retrofitted to the 18 and be standard on all future models.
The boat was an immediate success, and competitive fleets sprouted up in North America, Australia and to a lesser extent in Europe, where the boat was built with an all-aluminum mast, tapered above the hounds. The 18 became an ISAF International Class in 1990.
Boat Weight
The advertised weight of the newly introduced Hobie 18 was 400#. But the early boats were far heavier than that. Hobie was selling boats as fast as they could build them, and not much attention was paid to the amount of fiberglass and resin that was used. During the early to mid 80’s hull weights started dropping but premature failure at stress points became problematic. This failure was addressed by adding shroud anchors that spread the load at the shrouds and the same part is used to strengthen the boat at the anchor points for the front crossbar. Boats built from 1986 to present generally will weigh in very close to the factory specification.
Versatility
The Hobie 18 is probably the most versatile catamaran ever built. There are still active and competitive fleets in many areas of the country. It is equally enjoyable both as a racer and as a day sailor. With the jib furled, it can be easily single handed like the Hobie 14, or wings can be added, and it becomes a very manageable family day sailor/cruiser. It can easily be sailed off the beach, and yet is much less “active” than its smaller cousins, stable and forgiving without being as technical and “spirited” as the Hobie 20 ¨For those looking for a bit more of a thrill, you can pick up a SX rig and/or a spinnaker kit can be added to any incarnation of the Hobie 18.
Crew Weight¨
The minimum crew weight according to class rule was changed in the late 1990’s from 285# up to 295# where it remains at this writing. The boat is most competitive when sailed with combined crew weight between 295# and 320#. It still competes very well with combined crew weights up to around 360#. Due to the tall bows and high volume hulls it can be a lot of fun with 3 or 4 adults and still day sails very well with 500# of crew weight, or sometime more.
Sailing Characteristics
The Hobie 18 is once again incredibly versatile. The boat handles well over a wide range of conditions. It will point a bit higher than its asymmetrical cousin, although it is a bit wetter in heavy winds because the trampoline closer to the water. It is built like a tank, and will stand up well to as much wind as you are comfortable sailing. In extremely light conditions it will not live up to its Portsmouth rating, but when sailed by a competent crew will still keep up with both the Hobie 16 and the Hobie 20. The tall bows make it very difficult to “pitch pole” and it is a much smoother ride than the smaller Hobies. The Hobie 18 can be sailed well with relatively inexperienced crew, because while there are many more adjustments than on the Hobie 16, they are not nearly as critical to the overall performance of the boat as they are on the Hobie 20 or the Hobie Tiger/Wildcat.
Production Changes
While the original Hobie 18 SE has seen no significant changes during its lifetime, Hobie added wings and introduced the Magnum 18 in 1984. Sometime around 1990, Hobie added longer wings, a taller mast and vertical cut Mylar sails in and introduced the Hobie 18SX. Very shortly after the SX hit the showroom, the Hobie Miracle 20 made its debut and the performance oriented sailors embraced it and never looked back at the Hobie 18 SX. There are very few SX’s still available, and the only nationally active Hobie 18 racing class is the original incarnation, the Hobie 18 SE.
In 2004 Hobie ended production of the Hobie 18 in any configuration. In 2011 Hobie Cat Australia made a limited run of 10 sets of hulls for loyal owners that wanted many more years of sailing from their Hobie 18 platform. 9 of those sets were shipped to the USA.
Modifications for Racing
The factory 3:1 downhaul can be upgraded to as much as 8:1, and can be brought out to each side of the boat so it can be adjusted from either side of the boat. A positive Mast Rotation system can be used to keep the mast rotated in light air conditions when sailing off the wind.
What to look out for in a Used boat
The Hobie 18 is a very well constructed boat however two common problem areas are soft spots in the Deck just in front of the rear cross bar where the skipper sits. Also be sure to inspect for cracking where the front crossbar attaches to the hull. If you are getting an excessive amount of water in the hulls, the most common point of entry is the dagger board trunk.. Check the seal both at the top and the bottom. The area at the top is very often where you will find the problem. As with all Hobies, be sure and drain water out of the hulls after use, and leave the port off to allow humidity to escape. Used boats are generally priced in the $1000 to $3500 range depending on age, condition, and whether or not it has wings.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Type | Multihull |
| No. of Crew | 2 |
| Designer | Hobie Alter & Phil Edwards |
| National Origins | USA |
| Year Designed | 1976 |
| Number of Trapeze | Twin |
| Hull Length | 5.48 m |
| Beam Length | 2.44 m |
| Draught Length | 0.76 m |
| Mainsail Area | 16.33 m2 |
| Headsail Area | 5.96 m2 |
| Spinnaker Area | None |
| Sail Area (Upwind) | 22.29 m2 |
| Boat Weight | 181.6 kg |
| Advertising Cat | C |
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Hobie cat 18
Performance, accomodation.
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- Sailboat Guide
Hobie 18 is a 18 ′ 0 ″ / 5.5 m catamaran sailboat designed by Hobie Alter and built by Hobie Cat starting in 1976.
- 1 / 17 Gilbert, AZ, US 1983 Hobie 18 $3,500 USD View
- 2 / 17 Plymouth, CT, US 1980 Hobie 18 $1,500 USD View
- 3 / 17 Gilbert, AZ, US 1983 Hobie 18 $3,500 USD View
- 4 / 17 Gilbert, AZ, US 1983 Hobie 18 $3,500 USD View
- 5 / 17 Plymouth, CT, US 1980 Hobie 18 $1,500 USD View
- 6 / 17 Plymouth, CT, US 1980 Hobie 18 $1,500 USD View
- 7 / 17 Gilbert, AZ, US 1983 Hobie 18 $3,500 USD View
- 8 / 17 Plymouth, CT, US 1980 Hobie 18 $1,500 USD View
- 9 / 17 Gilbert, AZ, US 1983 Hobie 18 $3,500 USD View
- 10 / 17 Plymouth, CT, US 1980 Hobie 18 $1,500 USD View
- 11 / 17 Gilbert, AZ, US 1983 Hobie 18 $3,500 USD View
- 12 / 17 Gilbert, AZ, US 1983 Hobie 18 $3,500 USD View
- 13 / 17 Plymouth, CT, US 1980 Hobie 18 $1,500 USD View
- 14 / 17 Gilbert, AZ, US 1983 Hobie 18 $3,500 USD View
- 15 / 17 Plymouth, CT, US 1980 Hobie 18 $1,500 USD View
- 16 / 17 Plymouth, CT, US 1980 Hobie 18 $1,500 USD View
- 17 / 17 Gilbert, AZ, US 1983 Hobie 18 $3,500 USD View
Rig and Sails
Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.
The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.
Classic hull speed formula:
Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL
Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL
Sail Area / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.
SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3
- SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
- D : Displacement in pounds.
Ballast / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.
Ballast / Displacement * 100
Displacement / Length Ratio
A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.
D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
- LWL: Waterline length in feet
Comfort Ratio
This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.
Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
- LOA: Length overall in feet
- Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet
Capsize Screening Formula
This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.
CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)
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The Hobie 18 is an iconic catamaran, sailed and loved by many around the world. Shop our full selection of Hobie 18 Parts , sails, trampolines, upgrades, replacement fittings below. West Coast Sailing is your source for all things Hobie Cat with easy, flat rate shipping and experts on hand to answer your questions.
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Hobie Telo Cat Wind Indicator
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Hobie Batten 107-7/8 inch Non-Tapered
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Hobie 18 Mastbase Hinge
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LENGTH: Traditionally, LOA (length over all) equaled hull length. Today, many builders use LOA to include rail overhangs, bowsprits, etc. and LOD (length on deck) for hull length. That said, LOA may still mean LOD if the builder is being honest and using accepted industry standards developed by groups like the ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council).
Hobie 18 Magnum. The Hobie 18 is a sailing dinghy, built predominantly of fiberglass.It has a fractional sloop rig, The twin hulls have raked stems, near-plumb transoms, twin transom-hung rudders controlled by a single tiller and twin retractable daggerboards.It displaces 400 lb (181 kg). [1] [2]The design has a roller furling jib, internally-mounted halyards and adjustable mast spreaders to ...
Hobie 18 - International Hobie Class ...
1985 Hobie Cat 18 The Hobie l8 catamaran is recognized around the world as one of the finest performance multihulls. Prestigious events like the Championship of Champions and the U.S. Multihull Championships, both sponsored by the United States Yacht Racing Union, have been contested on the 18. More complex the Hobie 18 catamaran is designed ...
2001 Hobie Cat 18 The Hobie l8 catamaran is recognized around the world as one of the finest performance multihulls. Prestigious events like the Championship of Champions and the U.S. Multihull Championships, both sponsored by the United States Yacht Racing Union, have been contested on the 18. More complex the Hobie 18 catamaran is designed ...
Recognized around the world as one of the finest performance multihulls, the Hobie 18 SE is one of the world's largest catamaran racing classes. The high flotation, symmetrical hull shape is perfect for fast sailing and has the capacity to carry up to four people for fun cruising. Powered by a horizontal-cut dacron sail which features a large ...
2mm Nylon Braid. About the Hobie 18. The Hobie 18 sailboat is a dynamic and iconic catamaran, renowned for its thrilling performance and versatility on the water. First introduced in the early 1970s, the Hobie 18 features a sleek design with asymmetrical hulls and trampoline-style trampolines that contribute to its impressive speed and stability.
The Hobie 18 is a popular catamaran sailing boat that was first introduced in 1976 by Hobie Cat Company. It is designed for racing and recreational sailing, offering a thrilling and fast-paced sailing experience. Here are some key features and characteristics of the Hobie 18: 1. Design: The Hobie 18 has a sleek and streamlined design with two ...
Find Used Sail Hobie Cat 18 boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Hobie Cat boats to choose from.
Hobie 18 is a 18′ 0″ / 5.5 m catamaran sailboat designed by Hobie Alter and built by Hobie Cat starting in 1976. Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session.
Find Hobie Cat Catamaran boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Hobie Cat boats to choose from. ... 1984 Hobie Cat 18. US$2,750. The Multihull Source | Stamford, Connecticut. Request Info; Sponsored Boats | related to your search. 2004 Switch 51. US$585,000. The Multihull Company | Virginia ...
Find your Catamaran - Hobie
Somewhat more complex than the 14, 16, or 17, the Hobie 18 catamaran is designed for racing, but also makes an excellent daysailing boat for three or four people. Tuning options are almost limitless. Symmetrical hulls minimize wetted surface and easily carry heavier crews. The large main and genoa drive the boat hard through any water condition.
1978-1983 Extremely strong heavy hulls, the original layup was nearly indestructible, and they sold a lot of boats in these years, which is why you still see so many Hobie 18's from this group still around. 1984-1986 Much lighter hulls due to a new fiberglass layup schedule, during the 80's these years were the hot ones for class racing because ...
The Hobie 18 has a 28' - 1" mast with 240 sq ft of sail. It has a fully battened main sail with a full length boom. The jib isn't battened. It has a draft of 2.5 ft with the daggerboards extended. It weighs 450 lb. It has adjustable mast spreaders and dual trapeze wires. The wires were replaced last year.
danimal35. Post subject: Re: Hobie 18 for new Cat sailor. Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 12:56 pm. Site Rank - Deck Hand. Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2021 5:13 pm. Posts: 4. Hey all, very grateful for the comments and just wanted to provide an update! I bought a Hobie 18 for $3,200 with some extra parts in great shape.
Hobie 18 Support
The Hobie 18 is an iconic catamaran, sailed and loved by many around the world. Shop our full selection of Hobie 18 parts, sails, trampolines, upgrades, replacement fittings below. West Coast Sailing is your source for all things Hobie Cat with easy, flat rate shipping and experts on hand to answer your questions.
Enter Your Zip Code. Description: 1982 Hobie 18 with Magnum wings and many parts replaced recently! Built like a tank like all early 80s H18s! Many updates and replacements about a year and a half ago: -Trampolines replaced. -Wings added with new wing tramps. -All running rigging replaced, including jib sheet and wire but not including blocks.
1987 Hobie 18SX with wings, comp-tip mast, good tramp & wing covers, galvanized trailer w spare tire and mast support & winch (w Colorado title), EPO rudders, telescoping tiller extension, sail box, beach wheels. Hulls in good shape. No known thin spots or leaks. Main & jib are older but stored out of the sun and in decent shape.
Description: Beautiful Hobie 18 with SX wings, classic sails, and all the accessories you can imagine. Hulls, tramp and wing seating are in very good shape; main sail is good, jib needs replacement. Mast is equipped with a bob float. Comes with Honda 2.5HP outboard and detachable mount. Includes spinnaker with carbon-fiber pole.
kailas. Hey everyone! We just moved onto the water in Florida and now have our H18 on a lift. This is super exciting, except for the fact that we have a sometimes long paddle via canal to the open lagoon. I'm familiar with the Cheetah Mount, but would prefer something that is cheaper and less permanent, to mount a small trolling motor.