Looking to get a 16

I am looking to buy a Hobie 14-16 somewhere near Orlando, FL that I plan to sail in East Lake Toho.

Any suggestions on where to buy a boat?

If I get one off craigslist what should I look for?

Any advice?

This is my first sail boat.

Thanks,
James

Nice, good for you James, welcome to the madness!

The biggest single thing is hull integrity. You need to look out for soft hulls, especially on the topsides directly in front of the front pylons. Put a palm down and press in looking for any deflection. Don't be afraid to lean in on it. Do the same everywhere else as you look for any signs of delamination. Inspect the holes the four pylons exit the topsides for any cracking or gaps.

Stand a few feet away from the boat fore and aft and spy all the way down the hulls both inboard and outboard. Look for any rippling, denting, or signs of repair. Repairs aren't necessarily a bad thing on an older boat if they're done well, just find them and know what you're getting. Carefully inspect the bottom edges for excessive wear from beach dragging. Press hard with fingers as you look for softness.

Standing and running rigging should be completely replaced anyway post-purchase as a safety precaution as you don't know how she was sailed, but its condition can be a sign of how she was sailed and what kind of shape she's in. Look carefully for hard wearing, frays, any splits and cracks. Even though it needs to be replaced ideally it will be in decent shape.

Inspect the tramp frame, mast and rudder assemblies carefully for splitting, cracks, repairs, etc. Check each rivet closely for a firm grip or any signs of being replaced. A good test is to lift each bow separately and see how the boat reacts. If it moves independently and comes up a lot b/f the other side then you have a weak frame. Do the same at each stern. A weak frame is reparable, just know what you're getting.

Another good test is to check for a square tramp frame by pulling a tape from front corner casting to rear corner casting. I found mine to be 3+" out of square once.

Treat it like inspecting a used car and look for obvious things. It's not a terribly complicated boat and once you slow down and take your time you will begin to see the right things.

Depending on its age and your initial budget you're probably buying an opportunity to bring something awesome back to life. If it has good bones you should be fine.

Another idea is to contact the local fleet. Who knows, with the right approach and a little friendly persuasion (free beer) you may find someone willing to look over a prospective boat with you. If anyone ever asked me I'd make a sincere effort to help.

Good luck, come back here often and ask questions and research specific issues. There is a TON of information here and awesome posters much more knowledgeable than myself who will get you going in the right direction. Without it I'd be dead in the water.

_________________
'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'

Hey James, I just bought my H16 2 or 3 weeks ago and I can tell you that you will have a hard time finding anything in decent shape here this time of the season. You might have to go to north Florida or even Georgia. Make a list from jman's suggestions and take it with you. I forgot my list and have spent more time working on my boat than sailing it. But after I correct the excessive weather helm I think I will be good for the rest of the season, then I rework the hulls this winter. After you get your boat if you need any OEM parts there is a Hobie dealer in Melbourne on the Indian River 1/10 of a mile north of the Pineda Causeway. It's called Performance Sail and Sport. Good luck in your search.

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Big Dan
1982 H16

Hot Flash #68984

Thanks for the advice, I will make sure to add your items to my list and bring it with me.

So far I have found a few in the area online from $300 to $2000 that I plan to start looking at this weekend.

Let me know what you think of these:

Somewhat Close
[*] $400 has some soft spots
http://ocala.craigslist.org/boa/2487996519.html

[*] $950 beend sitting for at least a year rotted tramp and has been repaired, hull replaced, and painted
http://spacecoast.craigslist.org/boa/2476191211.html

[*] $1000 some soft spots, 2 boats put together (extra parts) and has been sitting on the beach for a while
http://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/2486227051.html

[*] $1500 Haven't talked to this person yet
http://lakeland.craigslist.org/boa/2489492968.html

[*] $2000 Cat 18 , with trapeze gear
http://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/2488172024.html


Further away:
[*] $300
http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/boa/2492052268.html

[*] $800
http://sarasota.craigslist.org/boa/2491352599.html

[*] $1250
http://sarasota.craigslist.org/boa/2459548116.html

[*] $1500
http://sarasota.craigslist.org/boa/2462406160.html

After spending 16 hours sanding paint off my hulls to restore the gelcoat, I would stay away from any with painted hulls.

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Marc...
1978 Hobie 16 Keoke, sail# 36 84

James - Jman6631 and others are giving you good advice. The only thing I can add is this: It's your first boat. It's summer time. DON"T GET A FIXER-UPPER. Spend a few extra bucks and get a good boat and trailer. You don't want a summer project (nightmare). You want to learn to sail your boat and get out there and have some fun.
It would be ideal if you could find someone knowledgable to go with you when you look at a boat, help you rig it, sail it, and de-rig it so you can safely trailer it back home. dbevisjr mentioned something about Performance sail and Sport. See if they have any used boats and trailers for sail that require very little or no work.
Good luck and enjoy your summer.
Richard

Order a Hobie catalog (print version) from this site and take it with you when you look at boats. The print version includes MSRP pricing for parts. This way you will be able to get a realistic idea of the total cost to get the boat on the water. Also works as a good bargaining tool.

sm

I fully agree with spending a little more so that I don't spend forever trying fix things.

I also ordered the catalog.

After speaking with Performance Sail and Sport they do not have any used ones in stock, but did suggest a 1 hour training course that they say is enough to learn everything I need to rent one of their boats. (Around $75 for the hour I think)

I've also setup a sailboat tour for me and my friend this afternoon on the lake I plan to sail.


There are "boat slips" (really crappy) right next to my house that I can rent for cheap.

Is it ok to leave the boat in the water for a few weeks/months? or does it have to be trailered?

They also have a fenced trailer area I could keep it, but I would need to put a hitch on my car.


Thanks for all the help and advice,
James

James - Leaving the boat in the water for a few weeks/months is a bad idea. Better to pull it up onto shore [if you can], or trailer, or dolly, or cat wheels. Best to discuss this with the folks at Performance Sail and Sport.
Also, very important....make certain that any power lines near the launch ramp and on the lake itself are, at least, 35+ feet high. The mast on the Hobie 16 is 26' and it sits on the boat several feet up from the ground & water. even higher if it's on a trailer with the mast up. The same goes for any bridge you might have to sail under. 30+ feet - minimum.
The nice thing about a trailer for your Hobie is that you can travel to other lakes, bays, and ocean.
Have fun and keep it safe!
Richard

I just recently bought a Hobie 16 and would be happy to help. I'm in Melbourne and drove all the way to Georgia to pick up my boat. She's a gem so I don't feel too bad about going that far. I'm new to sailing Hobies, but I have gotten pretty good at shopping for them. Let me know if you want someone to go along with you to check out some boats in the area.

I'd check out the boat for $800 in Sarasota. There aren't many details about it but if it is really a "nice boat" then thats a good deal. I found that it is really hard to find a good solid boat in Florida. Probably because they have been used so much.

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Zach

I would really appreciate the help.

I've emailed the one in Sarasota, but since there is no phone number I just have to wait.


Richard,
There are no power lines or bridges.

Is it possible to roll the hobie down a boat ramp? with wheels or something?
I guess the real problem would be going back up the ramp.

Why can't it stay in the water? Is it bad for the hulls or a safety thing?

Thanks

That's a great picture for the Sarasota boat. Gonna save it for when I sell my boat on Craigslist.
Don't think its a 16 though.

James - I've never left my boat in the water for more than a few days [camping], so I can't speak from experience; but I've read on these Hobie Forums and heard from others that you should never leave your Hobie in the water for several weeks or months.
Check out the discussion in Open Forum-Sailing, Monday, July 11, 2011 at 4:56PM ,"KEEPING MY CAT MAST UP AT THE LAKE". The author is Lakewateree.
I've heard that it is bad for the hulls and could also be hard on the pylons and corner castings.
Is there a place on this lake where you can beach your boat? [be careful of trees near the shore with low hanging branches and submerged rocks close to shore.]
If you can't beach your boat you might be able to get it out of the water with a dolly or beach wheels providing the ramp isn't too steep. Otherwise you'll have to haul it out with a trailer and your vehicle.
I would suggest you discuss your options with others at this lake and the people at Performance Sail and Sport. I'm sure they'll be able to come up with a simple solution to this.
No power lines or bridges - That's good!
Keep us posted. I'd like to know how this turns out. Another success story - I hope.
All the Best...
Richard

One other reason not to leave her on the water is that the mast rocking back and forth jerks the standing rigging too much. I've only read this in a Hotline and don't know how truly impactful it may be, but it does make sense and is consistent with the other advise.

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'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'

Hi James, and welcome!

I too, am a bit of a noob when it comes to these things. I only bought mine about 8 weeks back, but I am wrapped with it so far.

Like you, I was looking for a less-expensive boat but I went and spoke to the Hobie dealer here and what he said made a lot of sense. Put simply, if you buy a $1000 boat, you'll spend at least another $1000 fixing it, and then it'll be worth $1300.

I waited, got some more cash together and bought one that has a perfect trailer, sail box, immaculate hulls and tramp, glued frame, solid rigging - the whole bit.

Since I started sailing her (the day after I picked her up) I've replaced the length of spectra on the jib halyard, the jib cleat and that's about all. It has made my introduction to the boat so much more pleasant than if I'd had to immediately tip-in a bomb of money to get her sea-worthy.

Looking forward to hearing abut what you end up getting your hands on.

_________________
'97 Hobie 16.

Skype: rob_arnolda