New-to-me H16

I just purchased a used 16' Hobie Cat and have a few questions:

1) Primary question: What do I need to do to make the trailer legal? When I bought it there were rear and clearance lights (front corners), but they didn't work. I've added new rear lights (brake/turn). What else do I need to make it road legal?

2) What rigging/lines should I replace? I want to replace the halyards, but are there any other items I should replace as a precaution?

3) Where's the best place to get rigging? Where can I find what diameter and type rope I need?

4) What's the best way to get miscellaneous parts? I need to get a mast pin, the plastic batten pocket protectors for the jib, and, at some point, shock cords for the trapeze.

5) The left hull has a hand-etched number on it - is that the hull ID?

6) What do I need to lubricate or otherwise attend to before sailing? The seller recommended lubricating the rudders and mast (the slot). Should this be done? What should I use? Is there a resource with directions?

7) Is there anything else I should do to the boat? Any resources you recommend to learn more about the boat?

I'm can't wait to get this boat on the water. I want to do things right but at the same time I want to minimize cost. For the near future the boat will be used for casual sailing - no racing (yet).

Thanks for your help!

Congratulations on your new (to you) toy!

We need a little more info before we can give you advice on some of your questions.

1) Where are you located?
2) Is the boat a freshwater or saltwater kept boat?
3) How old is your boat? (we'll help you answer that in a minute)
4) Does it have all original parts (sails, trampoline, etc.)?
5) Where do you plan to sail it?
6) What's your total budget to get the boat in shape?

To determine your boat's age, read the number that's engraved on the back (transom). The last two numbers/letter will identify the model year and month of manufacture.

Hey Congrats!

here's anything I can answer off the top of my head, but definitly provide the info that Mbounds suggested:

I just purchased a used 16' Hobie Cat and have a few questions:

1) Primary question: As far as I know, as long as you have working tail lights, you can trailor it legally. Make sure the license plate is up to date

2) What rigging/lines should I replace? Replace the anchor pins (50$,) and the shrouds seems like a good idea! (depends how old they are, if less than 10 years... and looking good, i'd keep them.. but many will disagrea with that)

3) I get alot of parts from Backyardboats.com
don't make rigging yourself, I tried... boy that was fun!

4)

Ebay has plastic batten pockets, shock cords and all that... Mast pin?

5) The left hull has a hand-etched number on it - is that the hull ID?
Yes

6) What do I need to lubricate or otherwise attend to before sailing? The seller recommended lubricating the rudders and mast (the slot). Should this be done? What should I use? Is there a resource with directions?

definilty the rudders every few weeks

7) Is there anything else I should do to the boat? Any resources you recommend to learn more about the boat?
I'd recommend finding someone who knows how to sail the hobie and have them teach you! if not possible... watch videos, stgart easy, andd bring a friend!


GL!

_________________
1985 Hobie 16 86068

1) As others have said, it depends on the state whether you need to register, etc. At the very least, you should have a working set of lights on the back of your trailer (brake & driving lights). I believe my state requires the lights be within 3' of the back of the trailer (including mast). Otherwise you need a 10" square red flag. I'd also check the wheel bearings for grease and wear.

2) Standing rigging (wires) should be replaced if you don't know their age or if they show obvious signs of wear. Otherwise, just inspect all lines for chafing & wear.

3) Any Hobie dealer can get you rigging. For lines, Hobie dealer, APS, Layline, Murrays, West Marine.

4) Hobie dealer can get you any part you need as long as it's currently still in production (so any part for a Hobie 16).

5) Hull ID / Serial No.

6) Spray every moving part with silicone spray or McLube. Travelers, main & jib blocks, rudder castings, etc.

7) Best thing you can do is join your local fleet and get together with more experienced sailors.

sm

Hold on... Did Matt say something about a buget? What was that all about?

_________________

Happy Sailing,

David

arcking - Be sure your boat has a righting line and you know how to use it before you take it sailing. If you plan on going out solo, get a righting bag.
You just bought a used H16, so check for soft spots on both hulls. If you find any, report them in detail (size, shape, and location) on this forum so you can get further advice.
We all want you to have fun out there with your new toy, and BE SAFE!
Rich

Assuming you're in the US or Canada, this link will give you the total scoop: Eastern Marine Tech Info

You need stop and turn, front and rear clearance, a 3 light bar in the center rear and license plate illumination. I've never been hassled for not having a light on the license plate, though.

Thanks for the insight! Keep it coming! This seems like a great forum

Trailer
Would a trailer for a Hobie be over 80" wide? The link below explains what you need for a wide trailer. If I don't need all of those lights it would be nice, but I don't want to get nabbed for not having them.
http://www.easternmarine.com/em_store/t ... _tech.html


More Questions
How do I know what diameter line to buy?

Answers to Questions
1) Where are you located?
The boat is currently in PA, but it will be headed to west TN shortly.

2) Is the boat a freshwater or saltwater kept boat?
The boat hasn't been sailed in a few years, but prior to being stored it was sailed in salt water (though stored far from it). I'll be sailing it in freshwater.

3) How old is your boat? (we'll help you answer that in a minute)
It's 25 years old (I believe it was built in 1985 - CCMB1476C585).

4) Does it have all original parts (sails, trampoline, etc.)?
The mast and tramp have been replaced at some point, but I'm not sure about everything else. The sails appear to be in good condition.

5) Where do you plan to sail it?
Arkabutla in MS
http://www.deltasailing.com/

6) What's your total budget to get the boat in shape?
Ideally it'd be around $100 to get in on the water, then I'd keep working it...but, that's an 'ideal' budget and am willing to spend more if need be.

"IF ????"

_________________

Happy Sailing,

David

Yes. The boat is 8 feet wide (96") and most trailers are at least the same width as the boat, maybe a little more.



If you're in doubt, find out what the laws are for your state. But I typically just make sure that there are two working tail lights at the back of the trailer (brakes, turn, & driving lights). Otherwise, I don't lose sleep over the red and amber side markers, etc. If the rudders or mast stick out way beyond the back of the trailer, you should have a flag on them. I've heard of people getting stopped for that one.

sm

If you do a search for trailer regulations you can find them for all the states. In addition to my H-16 I have a Cape Cod catboat that is 102" wide (6" wider than the Hobie). Here in NC that is the maximum legal width so I have no problems. There are other states with that as a maximum as well. I keep my lights working but I believe there is some provision that if you can see the cars brake lights, trailer lights aren't needed. I recommend having working lights because there will be times when you travel at night.

_________________
Howard

Go to Hobie site (www.hobiecat.com) and request a catalog. There's parts diagrams for all the boats in there. Also you'll find original rope diameters and lengths. I'm rather anal and not interested in all the mods made by previous owners, I would rather make it spec. then make my own mod so I understand it. Plus it's just fun to study it. I know Murray's just sticks something like 50- in front of the Hobie number so they can get you anything from the catalog and that part number will just be 50-hobie#xxxx.

Hopefully you have an active local fleet, I looked into mine but haven't known them to actually go sailing, just talk about how great it was (older crowd). I've had to rely on my own sense of adventure. If you're going the self taught route check out Catamaran Sailing From Start to Finish by Phil Berman. Amazon will have it and even though it says written for all boats the photos from the rigging section are all from an H16 so you'll be in luck.

Having someone to personally show you the ropes is invaluable.

Go see Chris and Charlotte at Rooke Sails:

http://www.rookesails.com/

Also, you've met Damon, right? I'm sure he'd be glad to help as well.

I don't get up that way much, but if you're ever down in Jackson let me know, and I'll help, too.

Check out Hobie U. at http://www.hobieclass.com/default.asp?Page=1686.

Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi
jv1234_99 <at> yahoo <dot> com

Oh, sometimes, I just crack myself up. Anyway, to help with one of the issues, you should at least replace all standing rigging. You can find the lengths and diameters on the site below.


http://www.hcana.hobieclass.com/default ... s/10815/0/

_________________

Happy Sailing,

David

Thank you all for your insight!



The previous owner has a thick elastic rope attach to the stern of each hull that runs around the pylons which he identified as the righting line. Will that work?




I ended up installing new tail lights and front clearance lights (along with the wiring), but put reflectors in place of the rest of the lights (three rear and side markers). If need be I can always add lights in those spots later. I do have a flag for the mast...the boat is currently on the trailer backwards, so I don't need to worry about the rudders. Speaking of rudders, I was planning on taking them off for the trip - can I just remove a cotter pin and remove them, or is it more involved?



I went ahead and requested a catalog and will be ordering that book. Thanks for the tip!



I had the seller show me some of how the boat works, but whether I know all I need to (or will remember it) is another question...and I'm pretty sure the answer is no.

Would Rooke Sails be a good place to buy the new lines and rigging?

I've sent Damon a couple of messages through his site some time ago when I started looking for a cat but I haven't met him in person.

Thanks! Is there good sailing around Jackson?



Thanks for the resource!


Once again, thank you all for your help! If your have any other suggestions, keep them coming!