Bit of a quandry here so i may need some help.

I'm 14 years old sailing in brightlingsea and trying to get onto cats, i've sailed various types and come to like hobies.

Now that i'm trying to move on from my first boat (Topaz Vibe - i'm growing to dislike more and more) i want a cheap single hand cat, considering my size (6ft tall and 13 stone) that cuts out most smaller cats but i've noticed that theres a few hobie 17's in this area very cheap.

Has anyone got any ideas as to if its suitable and why they're so cheap?

All sugestions greatly appreciated.

The Hobie 17 is very heavy and awkward - but it should be cheap. Go up the road and talk to Henry White - ask him about the Topaz 14 EXTREME - it would be a bit dearer, but very suitable for the conditions there - and fast. He might do a deal on a demo boat.

The Topaz 14 Extreme is definitely one of the best options, it's being marketed as the ideal "cheap" entry level cat for younger/lighter sailors. There's also the Hobie Dragoon, which is aimed towards the same end of the market (though Hobie UK say that it makes a really good adult single-hander).

Hobie 17 - most probably too large and unwieldy, and therefore not suitable. Cheap because they are older(?), and there seems to be a bit of a migration away from having costly-to-berth, little-used beach cats (though don't take my word for it).

I'd already considered that but due to being a cadet instructor i need a 3 sail that can take 4-5 people.

Also the new boats are a bit pricy considering budget 17's are half the price! 

You did ask about a singlehanded cat. The Hobie 17 is not a 3 sail cat, and, because of low buoyancy hulls (and age), will not sail well with 4-5 people.

Agreed.  I would NOT take 5 on a H17, the hulls do not have the volume to cope!

I would not take 5 on my F16 and it is designed to be sailed 1 or 2 up; 

As stated above a 20 foot cat such as the Hurricane would struggle with 5.

Right i think i'll have to forget instructing and just go for a 2/ 3 hander.

plus you cant race darts single handed.

i think i just found a gaping hole in the cat market.

Yes you can race Dart's singlehanded. 

The Dart 18 singlehanded is raced off the same handicap or one point lower under SCHRS (I think thats correct).  You just leave the jib and crew on the beach.  Really good fun, fast and manageable.  The Darts have a singlehanded event, which is always a highlight of the year.

Otherwise, the 15 (Sprint / Dart / Whatever) has a number of different formats that would suit.

As for the gap in the market for a cat that can carry 4/5 people - I think you are definietly moving away from the beach cat market there and moving into large crusiers!

I've just found another option but it may be a bit big:

Hobie pacific with cruising wings and furling jib,

can you sail that single handed with just main.

You can sail any cat singlehanded - if the wind is light enough. The main thing is, you should not head out on a cat that you cannot right with the crew you have onboard. You should never depend on outside assistance. So, singlehanding a Hobie Pacific is out. You would never launch and recover it on your own anyway.