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Looking at a Hobie 18 Magnum - Mid '80s ? http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=53215 |
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Author: | stilgar [ Fri Oct 24, 2014 9:04 am ] |
Post subject: | Looking at a Hobie 18 Magnum - Mid '80s ? |
Hi, We set our eyes on a Hobie 18 blue (like Model #35 Blue Streak from '78 http://static.hobiecat.com/2010_archive/support/pdfs/SailColorHistory.pdf) with wings (short ones) and the owner can't see/feel the serial. He mention the boat was painted and he couldn't see it when he got it second hand. Could it be an older boat (say... from around '78 ![]() What should we look after when we see it tomorrow? ![]() Also, is there something like a "bad year" for the 18' Hobie? We used to look at a '92 Miracle but we can't find a trailer for it and paying ~1000 to keep it at a marina/club is out of questions. Really appreciate your timely responses ![]() |
Author: | SabresfortheCup [ Fri Oct 24, 2014 10:56 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Looking at a Hobie 18 Magnum - Mid '80s ? |
There are definitely "good" years and "bad" years. A few of the years in the 80's had boats that have a tendency for hull failure after 20-30 years. That doesn't mean that they aren't a good purchase, it just means that you have to inspect them closely for signs of wear. Those same boats were lighter and faster than most others, and with some reinforcement, will last just as long. The previous owner(s) may have even reinforced it already. Here's a guide of hull concerns by year: http://www.thebeachcats.com/forums/view ... 98/start/0 Here's a good guide of what to look for in general: http://www.sailingproshop.com/catamaran_guide.aspx Wings can (and have) been added to any year Hobie 18. Depending on the year, if the wings were added afterwards, you'll want to make sure that the boat has D-shaped SS reinforcement anchor plates under the hull lip where the forward crossbar meets the hull if it has wings, or plan on adding them ($50). |
Author: | stilgar [ Fri Oct 24, 2014 11:11 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: Looking at a Hobie 18 Magnum - Mid '80s ? |
Thanks for the reply. I'm immersing myself in the links you sent. THANK YOU! |
Author: | SabresfortheCup [ Sun Oct 26, 2014 12:15 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: Looking at a Hobie 18 Magnum - Mid '80s ? |
No Problem. I was a little rushed in my post before, but essentially, the biggest things to look for on any beach cat is soft spots, water inclusion and bottom wear.
Check the hulls to make sure they're dry. If there's water inside the hull, it could be an indication of a leaky hull, and it could cause soft spots down the road (if it hasn't already). Check the bottoms of the hulls. If the gel coat has worn to the point that fiberglass is visible, the bottoms need to be recoated. This is a rather involved, but relatively routine bit of maintenance. In addition to the big three there, and the other items identified in the articles I linked you to, keep an eye out for the following:
As I mentioned, you'll need the reinforcing brackets at the crossbars if you have wings. They're $50/pair if they're not already installed. Check the wings and crossbars for any cracking. These are heat treated aluminum, and cannot be welded. Check the mast step on the forward crossbar. It should be riveted tight, with no movement and no gap underneath. If it's not, it needs to be re-riveted, or it will cause cracks in the crossbar. Don't neglect the trailer. If it's in bad shape, you'll need to put some TLC into fixing it. Mine, for example, was extremely rusty, had rollers (not good for the Hobie 18), no working lights and no means of supporting the mast aft. All in all, the Hobie 18 is a fantastic and versatile boat, and replacement parts are available for almost everything. Therefore, bad rigging or rudders or sails or trampoline are not a dealbreaker, but they may be indicative of the care the owner took towards the boat as a whole. The hulls are irreplaceable, so make sure they're in good condition. Crossbars, mast and daggerboards are very expensive and difficult to ship, so check those too. New sails and trampolines are also expensive. The rest is pretty replaceable. You can expect to replace the rigging if it's older than 3-5 years. A note on painted hulls: It looks nice, but it adds weight and makes future repairs more challenging because it's not as simple as re-applying gel coat or buffing/polishing out the oxidation. Not much to do about it after the fact, however. I know it's a lot, but don't get overwhelmed by it. The goal is to have fun, so in the end, just keep an eye out for the major stuff and resolve to fix the minor stuff as you go! It's all part of boat ownership. ![]() |
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