ident of original Magnums or SX ?

did the serial number of original magnums or SXs have an M or S or something to indicate their style as originally produced ?

No... they are all just Hobie 18s and would be something like CCMC

Review the history and differences here:

http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=12780

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

thanks.

talking w/my SX and Magnum friends we wondered how one could tell if the boat was from the factory as an SX or Mag... or a good full up "conversion".

guess you can't readily, provided all the bells and whistles were added.

There's really no such a thing as a "from the factory" 18 Magnum. The magnum wings were just an option that the dealer could add, just like adding upgraded mainsheet blocks, EPO rudders, or colored sails. The dealer could install this option on any boat after about 1985.

The SX came out in the late '80s, so any boat older than about an '88 or '89 would not have originally been sold as an SX.

The hull graphics could be an indicator. In the early '90s, the hull graphics consisted of a large "Hobie Cat" followed by the model in a large blue dot. So for a "from the factory" SX, the blue dot would say SX18.

I seriously doubt however that there were many boats that were converted from an 18SE to a true SX as this would entail purchasing an entirely new mast, sails, and rigging (in addition to the wings).

sm

Actually we have a few full conversions around here (Northern California) at least 4 or 5 that I can remember.

The trick was to find a H-18 that did not have a comp tip yet... and cut it the proper length, install comp tip and all the rigging... that's what we did with mine.... that I still have.

My boat was the lightest one at the SX nationals the year I went (North Dakota mid 90's I think)... it helped that as a stock 18 my boat weighed 400# even. I thinnk the factory SX boats were much heavier Some of the boats there were 45+ pounds heavier! Maybe they beefed them up a bit because of the anticipated extra loads that would be placed on them....