Noob questions regarding used Hobie and spinnaker

Hey gang. This is my first post. I've been reading this forum lately because I'm interested in buying a sailboat. I am now negotiating to buy a 1980 H16, so I decided to go ahead and make an account.

I have two basic questions for y'all.

First, what should I look out for when buying this thing? I offered him $600. I found one soft spot on one hull, but to be honest, I don't really know what I'm looking for. The guy is going to take me out once to verify that everything is in working order before I buy the boat. We live near a lake, if that matters. I don't expect to use this boat for anything aggressive. I just want to learn how to sail and tool around with my gf on the lake.

Second, could I use the extra sails to make a spinnaker? One of the reasons I really like the boat I'm negotiating over is that it has a new set of sails. The original main tore, and it was replaced with some colorful sails. The owners are including the old main and jib with the purchase. Could I use the original jib to make a spinnaker? If not, could I do so with the fabric from the original main and jib? I'll learn how to sew if it means tooling around with the new boat.

Anyway, cheers everyone. I'm happy to be joining the community, and I hope I can snag this H16.

If you can get it for 600, grab it, if the hulls turn out really bad, you'd get that selling the new sails. What year was it? Most soft spots are repairable. I don't think you
can make anything out of the old sails, have them sewn and use for back ups. Or sell and get a little back on the investment, I'll tell you right now I'd give you money for the old sails. Search like crazy on this forum, you'll find all you need to know here. Good luck on getting your first Hobie and have fun, they're a blast!

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[color=#4000FF]1974 Hobie 16 (Keepin 4 my sons)

The spinnaker is made from much lighter sailcloth than main and jib.

If your boat only has 1 softspot it would be a steal here in Florida at $600. And new sails are quite expensive. Sounds like a good deal to me. Also check to see that the mast is straight and no rips in the trampoline. Before your test run be sure to drain the hulls and afterward drain them again to see if they are taking on water. I can sail for 3 or 4 hours and only get a couple ounces of water in the hulls. Wish I could think of more things for you to check. Have fun.

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Big Dan
1982 H16

Hot Flash #68984

Thanks for the quick tips fellas. The tramps on this boat are new, and the the sellers are including the old tramps, which are still in fairly good condition. The sellers also have the original book to help me with the rigging and all that.

Oh, and they just accepted my offer! I'm picking up my new boat tomorrow! So excited. Thanks again. I'm sure I'll be back with a million questions.

I thought I remembered reading that someone had made a spinnaker out of a jib sail, but I guess I was mistaken. Oh well. I might be in the market for a spinnaker, I guess.

I am just curious, why do you want a spinaker? If you are just learning to sail, it seems that this would add significantly to the learning process and complexity of everything. It seems that sailing one with a spinaker is an advanced move when you get bored with sitting in the trapeze in 6' waves.

The boat really wasn't designed to have a spikaker, and they sure are fast without one.

I don't want to dampen your dream, but I would suggest getting lots of hours logged without one before investing money in something you may decide isn't needed.

Welcome to the forums! And keep us posted on your experiences. Anything you could possibly want to know about your new boat is available here. These guys are VERY knowledgeable and I am learning a lot from them as I move from 'total rookie' to 'rookie'!

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Steve
2017 Hobie 16 "Cayman" sails 114795
1985 & 1973? Hobie 14 "Sea & Ski"