Buying a used Hobie

I am looking at buying a 1983 16' Hobie. It appears to be clean and somewhat updated. Sails look nice, need a batton cap and some telltales. I can replace parts here and there, but how do I know if the hulls are good? It looks like some one caulked around where the metal supports go into the hull. Thoughts??

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Tim

If the caulk is actually clear silicon than this is normal and might be actually original.
The hulls are O.K. if they are not soft (delaminated) or worn through on the bottom (from dragging the boat on the beach). Both can be repaired with some success.

Patrick

Tim,

1983 hulls should be in good shape if paid attention to.

Check the decks by pushing down firmly with the palms of both hands. Check the keel line of hulls for gelcoat scraped off and fiber exposed, any rocks ground into the fiber? Lift the tongue of the trailer up to see if water drains out of either hull. Ask the owner if the boat takes on any water, if so how much? and under what conditions? are there ports in either hull deck? why were they installed? for a repair?

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hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297