My 1976 Hobie 16 - Trapeze Add on and Shine

I just bought a 76 model. I noticed the mast does not have two holes in the mast tang. The boat did not come with trapeze rigging. Do I need a different tang for a trapeze rig addition?

Also does anyone know what I can do to shine the tops of the hulls? Mine are faded light blue in ok shape but need a bit of polish if it is possible.

Technically, you don't need the three-hole tang (no such thing as a two-hole) to add trapezes, but it's far stronger than the original one-hole tang. After 41 years of wear, I'd go with the new tang.

As for the fiberglass, there's no magic bullet that will bring the deck back to it's original color/gloss. Most "solutions" (like painting) will fill in the non-skid to some degree and/or make the deck a lot more slippery - a consideration since you're planning on trapezing.

Hobie Cats are durable, but a 41 year-old boat is . . . a 41 year-old boat. These boats were not made to last forever and they sail just as well "ugly" as they do "pretty". Save your money for stuff like new shrouds, blocks and running lines.

Thanks MBounds, I will probably just was out the bottom hulls real good and leave the decks a a project for some other time then. I will probably sail this season no trapeze wires to get the hang of the boat before I push it, and get a new tang as a winter project along with the new tramp install. Great thing was I got all new wires and ropes when I bought the boat. It's not in bad shape to be a year older than me.

Try rubbing compound, some marine polish and a buffer, that will help bring the shine back a bit.

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