New to the forum

Hello,

I'm new to the forum and new to sailing however I have long been a water enthusiest. Pretty much my entire life.

Anyway, I've got a ton of questions that I'm sure I'll ask over the next few months. I came into a Hobie 16 that didn't cost me a dime. The owner had no idea what it would take to get the thing running and as long as I promised to take him out on it. Sounds fair to me! The vessel is slightly older, we're guessing a 1970's model and certainly won't be in race shape ever, which is fine with me.

So, I guess to start my list of questions... I need new sails. I need a main sail and a jib sail. I've been looking everywhere but either can't seem to find good used sails anywhere. I would buy new, but the cost is too much for new.

Any good suggestions on how/where to locate some good used sails? They don't have to be perfect, just useable and be able to last a few years.

Thanks!

Welcome to the club.

This isn't the time of year to find used sails easily since most boats are put away for the season. Wait until April to start seeing ads.

Also, be aware that Hobie has changed the shroud and forestay lengths since your boat was made. It is strongly suggested you replace the standing rigging before you start the new season as a precaution against a dismast. However, changing the lengths also means the new lengths won't work with older sails as well since the newer sails were redesigned to the new rigging lengths. You may certainly use new shrouds with an old sail, but a newer sail will perform better.

Hi Kent,

The time is now to get in contact with the Hobie sailors in your area, and be ready when the weather warms up.

Here's a few links

http://www.hobiecatdivision7.org/Div.7%20Fleet%20Dir/division7fleetdirectory1.htm

http://hobie-16.ning.com/

Keep your eye on the classifieds here as well.

_________________
Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

Hey Kent,

Welcome to the club. My wife and I also live in Omaha, we sail a tiger and would love to help in what ever way we can. It is great to have new people coming in to such a great sport. We have quite a few 16 sailors in our division so we should be able to help you find what you need in the price range you are looking for.

On non race weekends we sometimes go to Branched Oak in Lincoln to sail there is a good beach to sail from and a great group that sails there.
If you want to get together and talk sailing you can contact me at [email protected]

Dan

Standing rigging for a Hobie is cheap, (about the only thing that is cheap), take the advice to buy new shrouds and a forestay. Standing rigging is the wires that hold your mast up, running rigging is all the ropes. People will often speak in correct sailing jargon and it will help you a lot if you get a hold of a sailing dictionary or find a good glossary site on the web. For instance; Rope is often called cordage when on the factory roll, it becomes lines when cut and purchased for a boat, it becomes a sheet when used to control the angle/trim of a sail, a halyard when used to hold a sail up, a downhaul when used to hold a sail down, etc. Never be afraid to ask what people are talking about, we all started sailing once. Your best bet for a used sail is probably going to come from the local fleet, put the word out.

_________________

Frank, sailing '02 Getaway in Wichita KS. Lake Cheney
(Hobie 17 RIP, storm of '05)

Thanks guys. I appreciate the responses.

I'm so stoked to get the boat on the water. Of course, like I said earlier there is a TON of work to do. I also have work to do on the trailer. Any advice on packing berrings?