Design and Construction
The Wave's hulls are symmetrically shaped, and that form works with a sleek keel to eliminate the need for daggerboards, while skegs along the hull bottom serve the same purpose as centerboards. Hobie describes its rotomolded polyethylene hull as nearly indestructible, and the impact-resistant two-shot hulls give the boat a ruggedness that suits beach launching and careless groundings alike. Hobie's own notes credit the three-piece mesh trampoline as heat melded for longevity, with two main sections that are simple to adjust. The Club version uses a lace-up three-piece mesh with grommets, while the Classic disassembly model relies on a cable system and Velcro straps for trampoline tension.
Rig and Handling
The Wave carries a cat rig with a comptip mast and a Hobie Bob mast float to prevent turtling if capsized. Its large, fully-battened, boomless mainsail is powerful in light air but designed to reduce power in a gust, and the single sail slides up and locks with very little resistance. A fully-battened, multi-colored square-top Dacron mainsail with a safety view window is fitted, and the boomless rig removes the usual boom-bash hazard for new crews. The EZ Loc Rudder system is operated simply by raising and lowering the rudder, and a tiller stick lets the sailor shift weight forward in lighter air. Reviewers found the craft incredibly easy to sail across skill levels, capable of solo sailing or single-handed racing, yet usable with a crew of four. The Wave is extremely difficult to capsize and can right itself if fought by the wind.
Accommodations and Cockpit
This is a day-sailing cat, not a cruiser, but it is fitted with special padded seat cushions, and the Classic version adds an easy-attach, one-piece colored mesh trampoline with built-in drink holders. The forward bow height is 18.5 inches and the stern is 25.25 inches from the floor, giving a low, stable platform. Crew capacity is rated at one to four, with a stated capacity of 800 pounds in the US version.
Two Versions
Hobie formerly built two Waves: the Classic and the Club. The Classic was the original, with easy disassembly for car storage and standing rigging that hooks to the hulls. The Club version uses clevis pins and rings for its standing rigging and a lace-up trampoline, and it is the version preferred by those who want to race or who value speed.
Ownership and Upgrades
The boat's simplicity makes it a low-overhead owner. Available upgrades include a zipper-reefing mainsail, a spinnaker kit, an aluminum trailer, padded backrests, and beach wheels. The rotomolded hull needs no gelcoat repair, and the trampoline systems are field-serviceable with common hardware.
The Verdict
The Hobie Wave is a forgiving, near-bombproof intro to catamaran sailing that still rewards a racing mindset. Its daggerboard-free hull, boomless rig, and float-equipped mast make it ideal for families and juniors, while the Club version keeps speed seekers happy.
Pros
- Nearly indestructible rotomolded polyethylene hull
- Daggerboard-free symmetric hulls with skegs
- Boomless, gust-reducing mainsail with mast float
- Simple rigging, solo or crewed sailing, easy capsize recovery
Cons
- Minimal creature comfort beyond cushions and trampoline
- Classic version trampoline tensioning is more fiddly than Club
