Where have all the Hobies gone?

ok, so I am keeping an eye out for a "slightly" used Hobie and noted that there seems to be available only 1976 boats or 1985's. Where are all the 1999's, 2001's or even 1996's. Did they stop making them? Does Hobie come and collect them and recycle them? Is there a conspiracy? Have the terrorists melted them down? Help!

They're out there..jsut gotta look around some more. I think people are hanging on to boats they would've normally sold since the price of gas went up. I have a 86 H16 I bought in 2000.

as a former owner of a '76, and a current owner of a '74 they are still great boats, if you can find one that someone took care of. A little bit of elbow grease gets 'em sailing great.

Luke

I think Hobie Cat sales peaked in the early 80s. After that the jetski took over for the next generation. You don't find many late model used Hobies because comparatively few were sold.

I second that, I spent about a year looking for a 16 newer than 2000 and there was slim pic-kins and what you did find was almost the price of a new boat. I'm in Canada as well so tranportation was expensive and a big hassle.

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

Like Roy I am also from Canada. Had to drive 9 hours one way to buy a boat in the States. I looked for six months to find something from the 21st century.

There are newer ones out there, but they are not cheap for the most part.

So is the answer to buy new? What are people finding they are costing?

Thanks All.

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2001 Wave
2006 Laser
1988 Windrush (AUS)
1983 Laser
1980 Swinger (AUS)
1974 Manly Junior (AUS)

Contact your nearest Hobie dealer for a price. The dealer may also have some boats on consignment, or may know where to find a used one to your liking.

In Canada new standard 16 will run you about $8,500.00 plus tax and trailer.

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

Good boats get recycled in your local racing fleet very quickly. A fleeters sell their 3 year old boat to B fleeters that want to move up and so on... They rarely even list the boats, it's all word of mouth. It's an incestuous game of Hobie swapping. Check with your local fleet, or dealer as suggested.

Anyone notice how there's kind of a shortage of good used boats lately?

I think gas prices are making people think twice about jetskis and the like.

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Yeah... We actually took a couple of boats on consignment this year that wouldn't have made it into the shop in previous years.

But what we're getting seems to turn quickly.

Currently have an '05 H-16 that's pretty clean. The owner is bumming, but he's just not using it enough to justify keeping it. New kids aren't helping matters.