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Reply to: Hobie 16 Group Sails to Catalina Island

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[quote=mattson][quote=onemorecat]We've thought of taking our H18 out to Catalina. We'd only do it with at least one other boat sailing with us, and we'd likely wear 2.5mm wetsuits AND PFDs. The water is COLD, and you need some protection just to avoid hypothermia if you spend time in it. The PFDs we use are equipped with a behind-the-neck support, giving us a better change of being face-up if not fully conscious.

We wear the PFDs even when sailing in the shallow and protected waters of Mission Bay, though the wetsuits are only for open ocean or full winter. We use 2.5mm full wetsuits or 3mm shorties depending on conditions in the cold months, and we have 7mm full suits for winter diving. I don't think we'd ever wear the 7mm sailing, the movement penalty is just too high...Edited by onemorecat on Jan 10, 2021 - 05:41 PM. [/quote]

IMHO, the H18 is THE boat to do these crossings on, just due the bulletproof construction of the hulls.   I'm considering a trip to Santa Cruz Island this year, post vaccine, on the Prindle 19.  But I have already decided I will be restricted to the backside of the island where the sandy beaches are.  Some of the rocky north shore beaches that were routine on my H18 would probably punch holes in the P19.

The obvious problem here is that, depending on conditions/equipment, you don't always end up where you originally planned.  I've got another P19 disassembled that I am thinking of reinforcing the hull bottoms with kevlar or I may even acquire another H18.

On wetsuits:  They seem like they are designed to keep you from getting cold IN the water.  Outside of the water, once wet and in wind, in some conditions I think they can turn into evaporative coolers. Wearing a spray top over them helps. But years ago, I started going with a dry suit. Way warmer.[/quote]

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