Regret over purchase

I bought a 1975 Hobie 16 for a few hundred thinking I got a decent deal, but the more I read here the more I think I just wasted a few hundred bucks. The port hull deck has some softness. I grew up around boats, and I've been on plenty of seaworthy boats with some soft areas that still sailed just fine. But now you guys are terrifying me with stories about hulls splitting in half, which isn't something I'm used to in other boats. I know the boat is not great but I was hoping to get some use out of it anyway. However this forum has me afraid to even take it out. I feel like I should just part it out now.

Related, I did check the boat for softness when I went to look at it, and it seemed okay. Now it seems like it's gotten worse since I got it home. I can only guess this is because I have been climbing around on it.

In any case what are my options? Should I not attempt to sail it? Is it safe to sail it moderately? I'm not looking to go out racing. I am aware of the git rot fix, but the extent of the softness makes this seem unrealistic.

Just find another hobie 16 if you're unsure. There's lots of good boats to be had for less than $1000 out there. Put you together the best of both then sell the rest as parts or keep as spares. Use searchtempest.com to find nearby deals.

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Tim Grover

Memphis, TN fleet 134
Hobie 20! G-Cat5.0 and 2 Hobie 14's
Photobucket now wants $100 to post pics on forums......... pass.

How big is the soft spot and where exactly is it located? There is little harm in attempting to fix using the injection method. Worst case, you waste another 30 or so bucks on epoxy and a couple hours of your weekend.

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It might be easier to say where the soft spot isn't. In front of the port trampoline support to about 3/4 the way to the bow. It's not super soft but it's not super hard either. I'm really starting to wish I had a do-over button.

If the trailer is in good shape, that's not wasted money if you intend to look for a better H16.

Front of the forward pylon is the worst spot to be soft and under the most stress. don't sail it as is. Like others said. Look for another boat with solid hulls. Use parts from both and make a real nice one. Then either sell the spare parts or keep for spares. You could probably triple your money by parting it out. Also remember that whatever you purchase assume you will replace all the stays, I always do that with a new boat for peace of mind. Considering you got it for a couple hundred bucks you may still have gotten a good deal if you got a trailer and the sails are in great shape...epo ruddes perhaps you don't realize?....

A quart of git-rot goes a long ways. Study up on the method than have at it. Biggest thing is to go easy drilling so you DO NOT go all the way through only into the foam core! If your not planning on sailing in big wind I bet she will be fine after some injection therapy! I have seen some awful looking boats full of soft spots still sailing.

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1980 H16

I'm in the same boat, with a '79. About 70% of the tops of both hulls was soft. About 15% of that was already been drilled and repaired with git-rot, and I've done another 20% (everything forward of the deck). The sides are chalky and have white thickened epoxy patches on them, the rudders are rough, the rudder cams are frozen, the rudder pins wallow around, one of the corner casings is cracked, and a mouse chewed a nest into the rolled up sails. Oh, and it half fell off the trailer on the way home and slid a bow down the highway.

But hey, it's cheap and it sails better than I do. I'm sure I'll learn many interesting things about the boat is made and adjusted.

It's a lot of fun to run around on the lake with it, even with broken cleats, mismatched shackles, and no trapeze.

I dont agree with most people here saying you need to throw away a soft boat. I also purchased what you would consider "junk". A 76' boat with everything soft on the deck forward the pylons. Even some of the sides were soft in that area. I had repaired everything and it is like new. Solid as a rock. I ve even sailed it in large waves on the sea and no problem. So maybe it will take you some time to repair but its worth it. I spent around 100$ the most for repairs and replacements. All it takes is your time.

Here is a pic from last week: