1980 H16 - Strange traveller car

Hi all. I’m a new owner of a 1980 (maybe) Hobie 16, which seems to be a bit of a Frankenstein’s monster. To start with, can anyone ID this traveller car?



It seems to work, but I imagine I’ll replace it before long. My concern is if the track is original or not. Does anyone have precise dimensions so I’ll know if the old style car would fit in my track?

Also, while we’re here, does anyone know what these tiny blocks on the center bottom of the rear crossbar were used for?



I’m guessing trap bungee, or some sort of righting system?


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Ryan
1980 Hobie 16 Keoke
1983 Catalina 30

North Vancouver, BC, Canada
(Sail out of Squamish and Sakinaw Lake)

The traveler is a very early version that I bet SSI made. Hugh Greenwald had a business that developed accessories for Hobie Cats and some became standard equipment. His business was purchased by Hobie in the late 80's / early 90's and he ram=n our parts department for many years. His "T2" traveler car was the first with roller bearings and was standard for most of Hobie history after. This looks like an early version as the lower car is the same as used today... but with brass wheels on the bearings.

The blocks are as noted... likely from a righting system.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Thanks, Matt. So it would be reasonable to assume that the pre-94 car (Hobie part #150) would fit?

I'll probably give this one a try and see if it causes me any problems first.

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Ryan
1980 Hobie 16 Keoke
1983 Catalina 30

North Vancouver, BC, Canada
(Sail out of Squamish and Sakinaw Lake)

That car will just be a bit stiff in the track. The new (compatible) car is 105 (not 150).

105 TRAVELER CAR ASSEMBLY

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Thanks, again. Probably not worth replacing, but we'll see...

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Ryan
1980 Hobie 16 Keoke
1983 Catalina 30

North Vancouver, BC, Canada
(Sail out of Squamish and Sakinaw Lake)

The only issue in my mind would be in gybing situations and it hangs up and does not come across consistently. Otherwise if it "aint broke... don't fix it".

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

I had a very early H14 when I was a teenager and it had an old style of traveler car that didn’t even have bearings, it was a piece of flat looking metal that slid in the track. That thing was always getting stuck and binding up and caused many a capsize, but that boat was still a blast!!!

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Marty
1984 H16 Yellow Nationals Redline, "Yellow Fever"
Lake Martin, 'Bama.

Same for me... The car seemed to be the result of designing something for simplicity/cost over function.

It was so annoying and caused many early baths back in the eighty's!

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Ashus
Mirror, Bosun, Laser, Fireball, Hobie 16, Dart 18, IOR 1 Tonner, 1720, Ozgoose, Hobie Getaway