Where to buy a newer H16?

I live in Southern California and want to buy a H16 that is less than 10 years old.

Where should I be looking?

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1980 18 foot class A Unicorn catamaran
1977 Super Sunfish (sold)
1979 Hobie (sold)
1983 Hobie 16 Hawiian Sunset (sold)
1981 Hobie 16 Tequilla Sunrise (sold)
2008 Hobie 16 (sold)
2023 Hobie 16
Founding member of the "San Dimas Yacht Club"
John

I'm in the same boat (no pun intended) as you. Since I have been looking I have only seen 1 2007, 1 1992 and all of the rest have been 1980's models. Not sure why this is. Looks like there sales went down drastically after the 80's. I'm wondering if a late model 80's boat in excellent condition would be just as good as a boat say that's 10 years old? Are there some significant improvements on the later model cats vs the 80s models? Does fiberglass, even if kept dry, weaken with time?
Hoping some veteran 16 owners chime in

Generally speaking, the best way to get a newer boat is by buying a boat from someone who races. The top guys tend to replace their boats every few years, so that's a good way to get a used boat that's only a few years old. I would suggest you contact your local fleet / division to see if anyone is selling. Otherwise, your Hobie dealer may have a decent used boat or be able to point you towards one.

sm

That's a great tip, I found my boat (a very nice 1999 boat) from talking to some racers at the Mile High Regatta this year, someone I met referred me to another racer who had a friend selling an unadvertised boat since he no longer had time to race.

As for what years, I think it was around 1995 or 1996 that significant changes were made that have carried forward to today (off the top of my head, the travelers and rudder system are different than my old '84), so you are probably better off finding 95/96 or later rather than an 80's boat.

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Just go and buy a brand new one for about $10k. ( Dealers will finance on the cheap and may take in a trade towards a new boat...ie Rooke Sails ) late model hobie 16 owners love their boats and will charge you $5k-$8k cash for their used ones anyway. Why pay 80% of retail for a used boat? If you do stumble upon on a mega rare 90's -2000's under $5k boat there is a good chance you'll be driving 700+ miles and a smart local buyer will snap it up within 24hrs

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Tim Grover

Memphis, TN fleet 134
Hobie 20! G-Cat5.0 and 2 Hobie 14's
Photobucket now wants $100 to post pics on forums......... pass.

One thing to consider also is that a newer boat being raced and all could have some issues if it has been "rode hard and put up wet" so to speak. An older boat in good condition may be cheaper on the wallet and could be retrofitted with some new equipment to enhance it's performance also. It all really depends on condition, and what you want out of the boat. I personally went into my search for a boat knowing that I wasn't going to be racing it and I did not want a project. My search resulted in a pristine and hardly used 1984 model with a very nice trailer and lots of extras like beach wheels, full cover, and lots of original literature. It took a few months of searching but it was well worth the search and the wait. So, I guess what I am trying to say here is, figure out what you want out of the boat, race or casual speed sailing, and go from there. I also lucked out that I found my boat in an area where I actually grew up and it was only four hours away from me. I had a nice road trip with a prize at the end of it. Good luck with your search, and happy sailing.

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Marty
1984 H16 Yellow Nationals Redline, "Yellow Fever"
Lake Martin, 'Bama.

I have a 100% solid 1983 16 that's light, has many upgrades ect but don't kid yourself, I go to 5-8 regattas a year. If you want a competitive boat in any kind of racing - you have to have a late model 16. They simply "smoke" all others. Yea, all 16's are supposed to be in the same class - but they're not. On any given race, a 2012 vs a 1986 Hobie 16 - even the 80's 16 with brand new sails, the newer boat will win by a very large margin. Watch it happen year after year.
If you're not racing, there's a bunch of great condition 80's freshwater 16's to be found! And the 16's to me are a blast solo and with a friend :0)

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Tim Grover

Memphis, TN fleet 134
Hobie 20! G-Cat5.0 and 2 Hobie 14's
Photobucket now wants $100 to post pics on forums......... pass.

Compare the jib traveler track on the 16 between the new and older models;), and the newer models are going to be stiffer but you can fix that also.

Yes there are differences in some hardware such as the jib traveler set up. Mine being an 84 model has those spring deals and the slider adjustments are moved and set with a locking pin thing. I really don't understand how to use it properly, but works just fine for my needs. If I were intending on racing the boat, I'd probably upgrade the traveler system, main sheet blocks, down haul, and look into how to get more mast rake. I don't want to high jack this thread but it was stated that the newer boats are stiffer than the older ones, (mine seems pretty stiff), but this could be remedied, so I ask, how does one go about stiffening the boat?

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Marty
1984 H16 Yellow Nationals Redline, "Yellow Fever"
Lake Martin, 'Bama.

Glue the boat together. For older boats, that includes gluing the corner castings to the crossbeams as well as the pylons. The sidebars should always "float" - no need to glue them.

I should have been more specific. Measure from the mast base out to the track, with the newer boats the distance is less allowing the jib slot to be narrower, I think 2-3" but can't remember exactly.

jsloan 999 where do you sail the crap out of your 16 in socal?

Thanks to all for suggestions on finding a newer boat. I have been helping a friend get a boat. I had been checking Craigslist daily for a few months with no luck. The suggestions to check with my local dealer was what worked for me.

For me, I was lucky enough to buy my 2008 H16 for $4500 in 2010. I love this boat.

Gino - Are you in Socal?
I sail the following locations:
Sail Cove at Bonelli Regional Park (San Dimas). Good for teaching sailing.
Paris Lake (Great run between the island and the dam! Afternoon wind is great)
Claremont Beach in Long Beach. Wind howls in the late afternoon. Need to be careful of Kite Boarders.
Hurricane Gulch in San Pedro
Mission Bay, San Diego at San Clara Point
South San Diego Bay - Chula Vista (Great place)
Santa Barbara (Ledbetter beach)

_________________
1980 18 foot class A Unicorn catamaran
1977 Super Sunfish (sold)
1979 Hobie (sold)
1983 Hobie 16 Hawiian Sunset (sold)
1981 Hobie 16 Tequilla Sunrise (sold)
2008 Hobie 16 (sold)
2023 Hobie 16
Founding member of the "San Dimas Yacht Club"
John

jsloan999 I am in Bakersfield.

I refuse to do launch ramps, the boat was made for beach launching. Mostly sail at Claremont in LB.

Not enough wind in SD.
what is launching like at Perris.....ramp?
and San Pedro, launch ramp only?

Paris is off the beach at the northwest corner of the lake.

I have never launched from San Pedro - Just sailed up from Claremont Beach.

_________________
1980 18 foot class A Unicorn catamaran
1977 Super Sunfish (sold)
1979 Hobie (sold)
1983 Hobie 16 Hawiian Sunset (sold)
1981 Hobie 16 Tequilla Sunrise (sold)
2008 Hobie 16 (sold)
2023 Hobie 16
Founding member of the "San Dimas Yacht Club"
John