Picking up a Hobie 16 this week

Hello all,

I'm picking up a Hobie 16 this week. It's older, and needs work, but was priced right and appears to be complete. I'm planning to get it together just to learn to sail on in light winds.

Is there any chance someone local to Annapolis, MD could give me a quick rundown on how to rig it and raise the mast(I'm in Pasadena)? The mast isn't perfect (has a small dent), and the hulls are a bit soft toward the bow, but I plan on injecting epoxy as a temporary fix and will replace the mast if I can source a reasonably priced one.

Again, I'm not expecting this thing to be able to go through a complete restore or win any races, I just want to get it together enough to be able to take it out in light winds.

Any help at all is appreciated.

Thanks,

Nick

Hey Nick,

Have you seen this boat yet to determine how soft the hulls are or how bad the mast is? No matter what the price is, I would just keep in mind you're talking about two very crucial parts of the boat already being compromised. Not trying to deter you as we all love more H16's in the water than out but I would just be careful. Is this your first sailboat? My h16 was mine! its brought me a ton of fun but I got lucky and mine was pretty solid and one hull just got soft over this season that I just got done injecting.

Cheers - Kyle

Hey Kyle,

thanks for the reply. I went yesterday evening and looked it over. The soft spots are on the deck, well forward of the trampoline posts. The sides of the hull are solid. I'm assuming this is a little less structurally compromising?

I've had power boats off and on over the last 10 or 15 years, but never a sailboat. I'd rather get into a Catalina 22 or something similar to learn on, but I'm not ready to commit to slip/storage and fees yet.

This one caught my eye since it has a titled trailer and usable sails. I understand it's not in ideal condition, but I'm fine with replacing parts here and there, and I don't plan on stressing it.

Would you walk away from it in your opinion? I made the deal on it yesterday but haven't paid him yet.

I really appreciate your feedback.

You'll have to use your own judgement here on whether to walk or not. I've seen 8 boats this summer with intentions of buying each one and I have walked away with 0. Walking away with 0 had nothing to do with purchase price.

I'm under the impression that the top of the deck of the hull is one of the areas that takes the most load on the hulls. Hence, it become softest first. One of the veterans here could chime in and say yay or nay on that though.

Another great way to learn more about everything is to get together with your local hobie fleet. http://hcana.hobieclass.com/hobie-fleets/ Making connections and friends within the community has been the best way for me to learn and some of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

Where do you plan to sail? If theres an ad listing for the boat you're looking at feel free to post here for more of us to check out.

Sounds like it's a a bust. What a bummer, I qas looking forward to tinkering with it and learning to sail it.

Oh well, it is what it is. I appreciate your input though!

I'm not saying that it is or isn't, but from my personal experience finding the right boat to start with, even if learning, is the greatest foundation. Going into the first H16 with repairs that already need to be done and a mast that needs to be replaced sounds like theres more parts possibly right behind it needing the same fixing or replacing, especially if its not throughly looked over. Theres plenty of very sail-able, affordable boats that come to the market. I actually may have a lead on one for you from a guy I was communicating with in MD. I'll PM you my info and I'll see if I can get you guys in touch.

That would be awesome, and much appreciated.

This guy was asking $900, I got him down to $400, but still sounds like more trouble than its worth now.

Nicky,
I’m hoping to get in at least one more good sailing day this fall. If there’s a good day, would you be game to meet me at the 301 bridge or somewhere like that? My favorite place is the York river but I’ve been wanting to check out the Potomac a bit and would be happy to meet you there for a sail. I could show you how a 16 works and you could just get some familiarity with it.

_________________
'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages

Hey Anton,

I'd definitely be interested in meeting up. I can probably only get out on a Sunday, what days are good for you? I could take a day off during the week if needed.