Bought my first hobie 16

Hello,
Today I bought my first hobie 16 which happens to be my first boat, and what I will use to learn how to sail. Its a 1984 with solid hulls, and came with a nice trailer, nice sails, some beach wheels, and all the other necessities to get it sailing. All for a little over $1000. I could not find the name of the sails on the Hobie sail pattern guide but maybe you guys can help me out with the year and the name of the sails. Here is picture of the boat. http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VPhQy6CPc79XC-S8_rR68g?feat=directlink

The main sail has a few small rust stains in the white section on the bottom, and something that looks like dirt or mildew going across the middle part of the main sail. I've heard of different ways to clean sails depending on the type of the material they are made of but I am not sure of the material of my sails. Some have mentioned scrubbing with detergent or bleach, soaking in the tub, or using some kind of special sail cleaner. What is the best method of cleaning my sails?

Also, the boat was a little under my budget so I am planning on buying and replacing some things on the boat. I want to replace the shrouds and the forestay. Where is a good place to purchase these things?

I'm also looking for some recommendations on a good life vest.

I can't wait to start sailing! Thanks in advance!

The sail pattern is "Smokin'" from ~ 1981. (There were two mistakes in the original sail pattern guide - this is one of them).

The sail is made from Dacron sailcloth. Rust stains can be removed with a mild cleanser containing oxalic acid - Barkeeper's Friend, ZUD or OxyClean. Barkeeper's friend is very gentle. The dirt line running across the sails comes from the shrouds. It's probably a combination of oil, air pollution and trailering grunge. It's not going to come completely clean. Try not to scrub the sail too much. The cloth is made with a resin that seals it up and makes it resistant to air flowing through it. Scrubbing (and use) degrades the resin and makes the cloth soft. New sailcloth is stiff and "crispy".

There are a number of places you can get new shrouds and forestay - try your local Hobie dealer first. The lengths have changed over the years to accommodate more mast rake, so you need to specify you have an early '80s boat, or else you will have problems with the mast base and won't be able to sheet your sails in all the way.

By the way, new shrouds are plastic coated so they don't leave marks on the sail.

I don't think a thousand dollars spent any other way can buy as much fun and adventure as you are going to have on that boat. I think most would agree, the money I spent on my 16 was the best money I ever spent.

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Mims, FL

I agree.

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

Thanks for the responses. I am definitely feeling good about this purchase and I cant wait to get it out on the water.

I think I am going to hold off on any DIY sail cleaning for now, as I do not want to risk damaging my sails. For the end of the season I am looking into getting them professionally cleaned and maybe reconditioned from sail care in PA http://www.sailcare.com/. Do they have a good reputation? How should I expect my sails to turn out? Can anyone suggest any other sail cleaning service that does a good job for around $100 - $200?

Last I heard, Sail Care will not accept work on Hobie Cat sails.

Seriously, the sails are old enough that there's not much you can really do to hurt them. Treat the spots as described above and gently scrub them with Dawn dishwashing detergent and a soft scrub brush. Do it on grass, not on a hard surface. Rinse thoroughly and let dry completely before rolling them up again.

Save your money for a newer set of sails, or even just a new jib (jibs blow out much quicker than the main). A new jib and some smaller diameter blocks on the main and you'll be able to carry almost as much mast rake as the new boats.

Matts advice is sound. When I first bought my 16 (4-5 years ago now I guess) I immediately wanted to spend all kinds of money on it to get it looking more like a newer boat. It's a hard thing to talk yourself out of. The fact is that it isn't a new boat and won't be. Go sailing, get better at it, and then worry about the upgrades and odds and ends. If you have a complete boat, you should be on the water ... not wanting to go sail and can't because your sails are at the shop.

One of my favorite quotes from the Hobie 16 crowd is:

"Sail it like you stole it." Go have fun.

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm probably going to hold off on the sails for a while

The boat also has a 4 inch vertical crack in the hull near the rudder casting. The woman who sold me the boat said a neighboring boat's mast fell on the boat and must have fallen on the tiller to cause the crack. I wasn't worried about the crack when I bought the boat since I have a good friend who makes surf boards and should be able to work on it but I am growing increasingly worried about it. Is a small crack a big deal? Are they difficult to repair? Whats the best way to repair them?

Thanks!

Get your surf bro to fix it, he's got the skills. The only difference between a board and your boat is the gel coat step, which is basically pigmented resin that you use like paint to seal the repair. Hobie Alter built boards before he built boats, they're basically constructed the same.

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Sail Revolution
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Thanks for your reply. I feel alot better knowing that its not too different from fixing surf boards.

At what stage should my buddy apply the gel coat? I've heard that epoxy does not adhere well with the gel coat. What type of resin should he use?

wait up guys...

Sailcare DOES do work on hobie sails.....

my main is all boxed up and ready to go.....they quoted me $115 to completely clean and re-resin the sail....not bad at all considering the price of a new main...

once the sail is cleaned, they will contact you if any other problems arise after the cleaning......

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1981 Hobie 16
1982 Hobie 14 turbo (sold)
1996 SeaDoo GTI
1999 Hunter 340

Your right, they do work on hobie sails. I contacted them the other day for a quote and it'll cost $148 to clean and re-resin the main and the jib. You have to let me know how it turns out. Does your sail have any stains in it? How long did they say the whole process would take?

I found alot of information in the Hobie Hotline mag about repairs that I'm going to give to my friend.

What worries me about the crack is that it is right next to the gudgeons. I just learned that there is an aluminum plate on the inside of the transom that may make this repair tricky. Any advice on how we should attempt this repair?

Thanks!

A picture might be helpful in answering that question if you have one to upload. Some one on here would then be able to give better advice......most likely.

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'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

Just my opinion on sails, check out : http://www.slosailandcanvas.com/servlet/StoreFront (plug for my local buds.) They can do a new batten-less Jib for somewhere in the neighborhood of $250-300. They do top quality work and are generally just good guys. I've seen their gear all the way on the other side of the world (Set of Slo-Sails in Japan on a larger cruiser) and as long as you don't need "official racing" style gear they are excellent.

Pretty sure they can do a whole sail set for under $1k but don't quote me on that one

Nick
Sail safe

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Nick,

Life is an adventure or nothing at all -Helen Keller

My grandpa on safety - "Bah it's fine! Just use it until it breaks, panic, jury-rig it and keep going. Nothing to it right?"