The "potential" Hobie: To buy, or not to buy...(longish)

I finally had a look at the H16 that became available. I was both disappointed and, well, and not disappointed, I can't say I was enthusiastic.

The "white" hulls were painted white, flaking and chipping, easy enough to fix and the paint has been protecting the real colour...avacado green. I don't really care what the colour is as it can be buffed up and look good. Strip and buff. no biggie.

The bend in the mast was understated, it is pretty pronounced and is creased where something was obviously dropped on it. Due to the creases there is almost no chance or correcting it. It is sailable but this is a big thing to have to replace. Most of the bend is also low, a comptip will not fix it.

We couldn't pull out the sails to look at them nor the sheets and blocks, the sheets are three years old and have not been sailed much. The sails cannot be original as I doubt that a green hull ever had a light blue sail. Which brings up the year of the boat. I was lead to believe by the owner (he didn't really know so I don't blame him) that is was mid eighties. The last time the green hull appears to have been manufactured was 1979... also the last year that they sold a solid blue sail. (if anyone knows different, let me know) I could not find the serial numbers which leads me to believe that they were filled in when painted (it was pretty thick) or the transoms have had some serious work done on them... not a bad job if that is the case.

On the good side, the hulls are solid, the tramp will give a few years before needing replacement, the pilons seem tight and there is no sign of any hull damage except perhaps the transoms. The rudders are not plastic and are originally white.

Initial replacements needed...all standing rigging, tramp lace, rudders need some work in the latch department, tracks and cars could use some updating but are sailable, stops on the mast foot and the plate are almost gone. The bent mast concerns me the most.

Any other H16 I have seen for sale so far has been between twice and three times the price. Any Hobie with a straight mast will likely need a comp tip retrofit anyway (power lines in my channel I find, not sure they will clear so not worth the chance). I think that the hulls are the largest factor here as replacing the mast and a few other trinkets puts me in line with the other unseen Hobies of similar vintage...at least none have the comptip so that makes them at least pre-1985.

So I am stuck trying to decide to commit to this purchase or pass in hopes of finding something better. My reasoning tells me to go with it due to the hull integrity and sailability of the mast as it is. If I decide to get serious or I NEED the comptip for sure, then I can replace the mast later and still be as well off had I bought a more expensive boat.

Well, that about sums it up. We'll see once we pull out the sails in a week or so what shape they are in. Maybe I''ll offer $500 less than asking and let it go at that.

Jeff.

Jeff,

Pass on it bro' "$500 less?" sounds like a $500 boat to begin with. I think your very close regarding boat and sail age. This late in the season, I'd wait a little longer, may be someone needing money for the holidays soon.

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Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

Hi Jeff,
My 2 cents are: if the mast has a bend so severe that it's creased (maybe I'm misunderstanding), how can you trust it to sail with it? I would worry about a major failure at just the wrong moment, which can spoil a good day or even be very dangerous.
FWIW, I am finishing the last bit of work on a 1981 H-16 I bought with solid hulls, decent sails, good mast and boom, and a trailer. I paid $300 for all of it.
I've sanded and painted the hulls, replaced all standing and running rigging, painted the mast and boom, and tramp frame, rebuilt the rudder cams and steering linkages, re-laced the tramp, replaced jib sheaves, and now I'm ready to go.
I've actually spent as much time on the trailer as the boat. My point is, I looked for 8 months before I found this deal, and I'll have about $650 into a boat I (hopefully) sail for a few years with little work or maintenance.
I vote hold out for a better deal/boat.
As always, opinions are worth what you pay for them! ;~)
Good luck,
David

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David

A green boat is early 70's. Maybe so old the serial number is on the pylons (pre-1973).

Old, painted boat, bent mast. Lots of other parts to replace.

Run away! Run away!

I never thought to look on the pylons...I think the other years this green were in production were 70-72 and a lime green in 75. Buying a used boat I expect to have to replace the stuff except the mast, that's sort of normal. I think I'll still go and check out the sails and look for the serial numbers to confirm the age out of curiousity. If I fid another and the hulls are shot but the mast is good I can combine the two for a decent price.

I'm not in a hurry and neither is this seller...he'll just keep it if I don't buy it so I will see what I can scare up. I have a max budget in mind for geting into and upgrading a boat for next year, if it doesn't end up happening then I will join a local sailing club, get some training, raise my budget for the year after and look for a newer boat.

Thanks for the opinions, they were pretty much where I was likely to head.

Jeff.

Hey Jeff,
That old boat sounds like it is only good for parts. I would run away from it. I know of a woman says she wants to sell her Hobie 16 near Bancroft, Ontario. Sweet boat, reasonable price. If it comes up for sale, it would go fast. If you are interested, I can try to get more details for ya. There are lots of nice used hobies around,, just be a bit patient, keep looking, and one will pop up.

You get what YOU PAY FOR!!!

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1971 H16 (sail #1768)

To all of you on the Hobie Forum... I love you guys!!!
thanks for all the help!

Well, sometimes you get more and sometimes you get less...in this case it would have been less.

Garry's contact may work out well. Nice 1980. Someone else is looking and has first right of refusal so I will know on Tuesday. From the pics it looks clean (original white hullsm not likely painted) and has a straight mast... important, as well as a trailer and a storage tube... bonus.

Jeff.

Jeff, if that doesn't work out I've got a nice 16 that may be worth looking at in the London, ON area. Its going into storage next weekend.

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Division 10, Fleet 185
Hobie 17 and Hobie 14

Triggs,

Thanks.

If you get a moment drop me a quick email... I don't get out that way often and I am headed into TO late this month...if this one didn't work out (50/50) I wouldn't mind dropping out to have a look, save a trip and all. With the season ending I'm in no rush though.

Jeff.

triggs do you remember me. We had talked over this last summer about me getting out on your hobie. I went to visit my grandma in Port Franks ON. You emailed me like the first day i was there and i sent you a few messages back but you never responded. What happened??

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1971 H16 (sail #1768)

To all of you on the Hobie Forum... I love you guys!!!
thanks for all the help!