Looking for help in Westford MA area, setting up H16

G'morning everyone, first post here. Complete noobie.

I am wondering if there is anyone in the Westford MA area who would be willing to come to my house and teach me how to rig my new (to me) '85 Hobie 16 on land. I just want to be sure it has all the necessary parts and the condition of everything is acceptable before I take it to the water for the first time.

Beer, steak and friendly conversation included.

--Michael
Westford MA

This is your closest fleet http://www.fleet448.org/ they are a very active group and would be your best source of assistance

We're having a fun sail on 10 September in Warwick, RI. That might be your best bet. I know my schedule isn't free until after that date. I've forwarded your post to the Commodore for Fleet 448 and we'll see whether someone a bit closer (I'm about an hour and a half away) and with a better schedule can help you.

Jim Clark-Dawe

I've sent you a PM with the Commodore's cell and email.

However, let me repeat about coming down to Goddard on the tenth. If you're missing stuff, you'll often find someone giving you their spare. It will give you a chance to get your boat out on the water, or if there are problems with it, probably a ride on someone's boat. There will be lots of people to help you, and you can bring some beer, I'm not sure what the food supply will be, and definitely friendly conversation will be provided.

Jim Clark-Dawe

Update: I downloaded the old PDF manual, and watched a short video that looked to be produced by Hobie back in the 70s. With a little bit of patience, I was able to step the mast by myself, raise the sails, and figure out the rigging. We then took it to a small local lake the following weekend for a shakedown. Didn't take too long to figure out how to sail it, and we had a blast. Very successful first outing!

Congratulations!!!

But that's all the more reason to come down to Goddard. You'll learn all a lot and have a lot of fun. And I know when I first came down here, thinking I did everything right, I ended up with a lot of suggestions on how to do it better.

Jim Clark-Dawe

Will do Jim. This weekend looks to have some good wind on the coast. Where will people be going out of?

---Michael

There's one or two boats in the Plum Island area, but I have no idea what their schedule is. As far as Fleet 448 is concerned, I don't know, but you can give Dave a call. I know we have something scheduled for the tenth, but I haven't heard any plans for this weekend. My impression is that some people might be at Goddard, but it's not going to be a fleet event. Something may be announce later in the week and I'll let you know if I hear something. I don't get down to Rhode Island that frequently and definitely won't be going down this weekend. I'm not sure I'll even get out on my boat this weekend.

Jim Clark-Dawe