I found the following when searching the internet for a simple review of the Hobie 16 to be posted on an informational web site.
Interesting what people can come up with when left to their own devices.
Enjoy
Quote:
I’m on my 3rd Hobie 16 and have made a few modifications to avoid having the thing fall apart on me sailing it balls-to-the-walls.
Both hulls developed cracks inside and just forward of the forward tramp support post(s) when cranking down the mainsheet sailing tight to windward. My fix for this was a section of galvanized fence piping and 2 bolt hole caps bolted across the front of the bows in the same holes used by the 2 forestays. This keeps the bows at the same width and works as hand holds when pulling the boat around on the beach.
I also added a second sidestay to each side and tension each pair share the load equally.
On the 2nd Hobie I had a welder weld a second stainless dolphin striker support and then added a second dolphin striker in tandem with the existing one. My first Hobie fell apart when the striker parted.
These 3 mods beef the boat up a bit. I have sailed my boat hard for a number of years and it has held up well, but I worry about the single striker - if it fails and the load on the main isn't eased ASAP, the tramp supports will break.
Both hulls developed cracks inside and just forward of the forward tramp support post(s) when cranking down the mainsheet sailing tight to windward. My fix for this was a section of galvanized fence piping and 2 bolt hole caps bolted across the front of the bows in the same holes used by the 2 forestays. This keeps the bows at the same width and works as hand holds when pulling the boat around on the beach.
I also added a second sidestay to each side and tension each pair share the load equally.
On the 2nd Hobie I had a welder weld a second stainless dolphin striker support and then added a second dolphin striker in tandem with the existing one. My first Hobie fell apart when the striker parted.
These 3 mods beef the boat up a bit. I have sailed my boat hard for a number of years and it has held up well, but I worry about the single striker - if it fails and the load on the main isn't eased ASAP, the tramp supports will break.