How to date hobie 14s

Hi all im new here and a proud owner of an old H14. ive had the boat for a couple of years now and having manged to break the stearing (the wind was too strong but it was fun) ive been purchasing parts and notice that some ot the items in the catalogue as standard dont even match the parts on my boat. I cannot find the number on the back of the hulls. Are ther any other clues in the timeline of manufature (features that chaged). that can be used to date a boat

The VIN is engraved on the transoms right under the deck lip, but they may have been filled after a repair or sanded off. The last two numbers are the year. For older boats, you can find the hull number stamped in the pylons. If you see that, then you know it has to be early 70's.

I don't think the 14s were really changed except for a few modifications. The tiller arms went from being curved to straight. The only difference there is a different length in the tiller crossbar, which should be adjustable, anyway.

If you need a whole system (or parts), I have a few spares. You can email me for details.

Dan
[email protected]

Because I am not sure I am interested in dating a Hobie 14. In NY you probably are breaking some kind of law . Maybe not if it is an 18.

_________________
The fact that this windy world is largely covered in water obviously means that man was meant to sail.

My 14 and I aren't really 'dating', we're just really good friends. You know, when the wind is too much for the 20, its 'booty call' time with the 14. She's a sure thing.

Yeah, the good old 14 Booty call.

14s are like the old fat chick/ moped joke. They are fun to ride until your friends see you.

My 14s may not be the prettiest girls at the dance, but they do have nice Hooters...

I'm going to Hobie Hell for that one..

Mine has a soft spot and leaks out of her stern hole. Nice tight tramp though......
NOW who is going to hobie hell?

There is a FAQ on serial number history and locations. It has changed over the years.

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=1155

Since 1973 the serial numbers on Hobie Catamaran sailboats has been located on the transom or rear of each hull. The number is hand-engraved using a vibration tool. The number is on both hulls of a catamaran. You can rub a small amount of graphite or soil into the serial number engraving to make it easier to read. Serial numbers use the following format: (example CCMB2345H989) Some older boats have had serial numbers engraved in a vertical direction parallel to the rudder pin.

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

Yeah, my 14 had been ridden hard and put away wet too many times, so I got a newer, lighter one. Either one will give you a good ride, though.

But when I want to play rough, I hop on the Tiger.

/one ticket, please. I'd like the seat next to Chris and Dan.

I hope its a cocktail flight.

Leaking out the stern hole. The humanity.

The problem with mine is that I let my friends ride her and she never comes back the same. Of course, I have 5 of them right now, so it is like having a harem. A harem scare 'em to be exact.

So if my tiller arms are the bent style, what would the age of the boat be roughly.

Bent tiller arms are pre-1983 - probably.

Check the hull number, though.

Peter,

I tried to respond to your email, but it was returned...

Sounds like your was rigged. You should have a small end cap
(Part number 10400010) on both tillers and one end of the tiller crossbar
There is an adjustable end cap, called a 'rudder adjuster' on the other end of the tiller crossbar. Some systems have the adjuster kit on both ends of the tiller crossbar--it is up to you That tiller adjuster kit is P/N 60400011. You will need the tiller connection kit (P/N 11520005) to attach the tillers to the tiller crossbar. These are the bolts with springs and bushings that hold it all together

The end caps and adjuster are cast aluminum and often break.
It sounds like your system was adapted because the pieces couldn't be found. You should be able to order them new from Hobie or get them from a used parts source. I sell a LOT of used parts, but I don't have those specific pieces right now. I leave them in the tillers and sell the whole unit. They are REALLY hard to get out of the tiller, and I end up wrecking them in the process. It will probably cost you a little to get them new, but you will be pretty happy with the results. The holes in the end caps get enlarged over time, so new ones really make a difference.

You will have to rivet them in, so get some stainless rivets while you are at it

Thanks for both replies. I'll check the Hull numbers, and I've been looking for hobie parts, and at least I know what I'm going to need. Thanks to both of you.

Peter

Elsewhere in the forum it is noted that earlier (much earlier!) boats don't have the vin on the transom but rather a 4 digit number on the forward port tramp post. Mine says 7271. Nothing on the transom. Anybody have information as to what that number signifies?
Mart