Need help on identifing a Hobie 14, 14turbo or hobie 16

Hello, i have recently come a cross a Hobie Cat and cannot figure out which one of the three models it is, the hull is 14 feet in length, and is what you can say 'half rigged' as a turbo, but at the same time, is missing several components that are listed in the Hobie catalogs "Turbo Kit," I can get the VIN, but i know the production year is 1983. The previous owner is certain it is a Hobie 16, but it has a roller-furling jib and the catalog beg makes me think its a H14 Turbo. Help on my little problem would be greatly appreciated considering i am in the process of purchasing new hardware, lines and sheets etc.

P.S.- I took it out in the water last year and it seemed to be riding low in the water, and i cannot find cheap way to weigh it and i was wondering what the water line should be like with myself, at 160#. -Charlie

The easiest way to distinguish between a 14 and a 16 is how the shrouds attach:

14's shrouds attach to the sidebar
16's shrouds attach to the hull

If a 14 has never been "Turbo'ed" it will not have a dolphin striker.

The cheapest way to weigh the boat is to take two bathroom scales, put them on two 18" squares of at least 1/2" plywood and then put one under each hull at the shrouds on level ground.

Put mast, sails, battens, rudders, etc. on the trampoline - move them forward or back until the boat balances on the scales.

Target weight for the 14: 240 lbs; for the 16: 320 lbs.
To get the most accurate weight, calibrate the scales with barbell weights before you put the boat on them.

Read the scales and add. Should be accurate +/- 2 lbs if you've calibrated.

From the sounds of it, you've got a 14 Turbo.

Thank you for the help itll be very helpful

The 14 sits very low in the water, there really isn't a water line, it all depends on where you are setting and what the wind is doing.

_________________
Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

I'm not a hobie expert but the H16 has a forstay and a deperate jib connection.

My H14 uses the Jib as the forestay.