Radical Frame Extension Mod - Check This Out

So I'm cruising eBay for kicks to see what Hobie gear is out there and I run across this boat and trailer for sale. Check out the aft frame mod that looks like it extends the frame ~2'.

It's described as having a "rare and desirable boomless main." Has anyone ever seen this before?

eBay link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hobie-16 ... e598#v4-38

Pix:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sbz8 ... 252006.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D5Xk ... 252001.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7y1U ... 252003.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OMnv ... 252004.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ddOD ... 252005.JPG

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'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'

That's a new one.

Bizzare.

Franken-hobie. I don't understand the purpose of a boomless main, there's certainly no weight savings given the ugly mods and additional rear cross member. I would be interested to see the foot of the main, wondering what kind of other modifications were made to make it boomless.

I think the word "desireable" is in the eye of the beholder. Rather, it looks like a badly done chop job.

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Stayin' Thirsty...
2011 Hobie 16SE
Atlanta, GA

Seems like a lot of work for what I do not know. Why would anyone want to add weight aft?

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1980 18 foot class A Unicorn catamaran
1977 Super Sunfish (sold)
1979 Hobie (sold)
1983 Hobie 16 Hawiian Sunset (sold)
1981 Hobie 16 Tequilla Sunrise (sold)
2008 Hobie 16 (sold)
2023 Hobie 16
Founding member of the "San Dimas Yacht Club"
John

nice Ferrari in the background - you think he trailers it with that?

I asked the seller to elaborate and this is what came back:

"I think the extension is shown pretty clearly in photo number 4, it was heli-arced onto the corner casting and is very strong. If you want to go back to stock, change out the corner castings. In the mean time, it comes with the original boom or you can run boomless which is much safer.

The sail looks like it possibly has been recut for a little less draft to suit the boomless design. If you want to return to stock, there are lots of sales available on EBAY.

The auction ends Sunday night, best regards"



What I don't understand is:

1) Why you would need the frame extension at all if all you've done is removed the boom from a standard H16 sail. Couldn't you just modify the clew with a plate (not sure yet what to do about the lowest batten) and attach the upper main block there such that the main sheet in the aft track would remain the same?

2) I assume going boomless with a standard H16 sail would radically change its shape so a custom sail would be required? If so, would there be a performance gain or is the only benefit safety as the seller claims?

Thoughts?

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'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'

I can't really answer you questions, but will try.

On my friend's boomless Getaway, the main sheetnand traveller is aft of the clew. On my 16, the main sheet and traveller is fore of the clew, but on the boom. So I think to go boomless on a 16, you need the traveller aft or the clew fore.

I don't want either.

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Marc...
1978 Hobie 16 Keoke, sail# 36 84