First post

Just scored a very cheap hobie cat 14. Starting to look over it to tidy it up and take it out.
This is my first sailboat don't know a lot but wanting to learn.
First problem the top of one hull is soft so going to do the injection work to it.
second the two side aluminium parts have cracked very bad where the mast supports connect(whats the correct name)
So this thing is not the best but I want to start with something small, I just want to go out and try this sailing thing and then I am thinking of going up to a wave or getaway .
any feedback please

Will post some pics but cant get my photobucket to work now

Side bars

Mast "standing rigging" consists of: "forestay" up front to the two wires leading to the bows "bridles"

The "side stays" are "shrouds" which attach to the sidebars. If you can't find them used:

10280011 SIDEBAR H14 RIGHT BLACK
10270011 SIDEBAR H14 LEFT BLACK

$170 each (USD / USD 5-2016)

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

So some pics finally got my photo bucket to work.
the crack in the side rail is repaired, I could not get the rail out so filled with liquid metal and pop riveted a metal plate around it.
Put mast up, looks ok, now the next stupid question, the rope part on the back of the boom to control it I don't know how or where to connect it I cant see how it works.

I think you're asking about the mainsheet? That's the line which controls the sail. Looks in your pix as if the upper block is missing- there should be two blocks- an upper which attaches to a bail on the boom, and the lower attached to the traveller car on the rear cross bar.Also, if the metal below the side bar was added to reinforce it due to the cracks, you need to weld or attach it somehow as the sidebar is loaded in both directions. When under sail, the area where the chainplate attaches (where it cracked) is pulled upward and toward the mast by the shroud and carries a lot of load.
Also, drilll small holes at the ends of the cracks to help stop them.
Hope this is helpful! Dave

Getting there slowly thanks for the help.
Have ordered some west system epoxy to fix the soft spots using the drill technique.
Need to order the rudder cams.
have got the mast up but think I am missing a part to help it up??? help
Hope to have the cat on the water in the next few weeks.

I think the part you're referring to is called the step link. The pic looks as if yours may have been drilled for one, but a much older version- newer ones need holes about 1/4" diameter. It's in the parts guide- p/n 21380001. Used to come with instructions for retrofitting older boats which were not originally equipped with one- not sure if that's still true. The newer link doesn't work so well on my '82 14. On really old 14's ( they're just about ALL old, now !) as my first boat, you raised the mast by standing it against the front crossbar, standing on the tramp and physically lifting it into position. Not that hard with such a light mast,but still took practice.


Dave

Finally got back into fixing up this cat.

Doing some sanding and painting next.

Need some guidance before heading out for the first time, trying to find info on the internet about the setup and use of the 2 ropes to control mast. From what I understand the Small one is connected to the traveller and steers the boom. the lager one pulls the sail/boom up/down to control how full the sail is??? thought/help / links anything will help, don't want to get out on the water and panic.

There should be an eyelet riveted to the center of your rear frame. Instead of using 2 ropes you run the end of the mainsheet thru the cam lock and traveler car, slip it thru the eyelet and tie a knot. Your boat is so old that the traveler car setup is a retrofit. I don't see the eyelet in your photos.
Maybe someone could add a photo to clarify for it you.

_________________
JKK
83 yellow/ white decks Hobie 14 Corando turbo
82 yellow hulls Hobie 16 Cat Fever
84 yellow hulls hobie 16 Yellow Nationals
plus a few extras that I'm restoring

still not making sense to me sorry, if I need to post different pics let me know, I am looking through google images now.

Go to the hobie 14 Fact sheet in this forum. Check out the hobie 14 Owners Assembly manual. Figure 36 shows how the main sheet is used with the traveler. You can print a manual while your there.

_________________
JKK
83 yellow/ white decks Hobie 14 Corando turbo
82 yellow hulls Hobie 16 Cat Fever
84 yellow hulls hobie 16 Yellow Nationals
plus a few extras that I'm restoring

Robert are you located in Australia? If yes what city/area?

_________________
2007 Hobie 16 - 'Slingshot'
1996 Hobie 18 - 'Onrails'
Hobie Bravo - 'Hobie Bites'

will look for the manual now. just updated location I am in Townsville Queensland Australia

Also check out the pamphlet HobieU. It is loaded with information.

_________________
1985 Hobie 14T
2014 Hobie T2

If you plan on replacing your side rails, you could get a pair from a 16 and cut them to length and add the shroud mounting plates.

_________________
JKK
83 yellow/ white decks Hobie 14 Corando turbo
82 yellow hulls Hobie 16 Cat Fever
84 yellow hulls hobie 16 Yellow Nationals
plus a few extras that I'm restoring