Fresh or Saltwater

Well here i am in the middle of a small problem, well not really a prob just more a concern. I have a 1989 H16. I boughtt this from my uncle who has had it since 89. It has never seen saltwater, i mean never at all. He has told me that i will cut the value of it in half and or pitt or corrode all of the metal or brass. Now i know that a simple wash down after getting home will wash alot of this away but i live about 45 min from the coast of CT. So most of the saltwater will have dried before i can wash it off. Now i would like to keep it in fresh water only but my sailing options are very limited. Just a few small ponds big enough to sail on though. There is lake webster in mass about a hours drive away. So to mee it seems like i am stuck. How about some thoughts on this matter. Thanks alot.

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Mark
1989 Hobie 16
Sail # 92778

I have been sailing on the Great Salt Lake, which is 8 times saltier than the ocean and have seen no negative results. Of course I only go once a week and have been doing it for about 3 years, so maybe it hasn't been long enough. I also dunk the axle of the trailer in the water every time and I repack the bearings once a year. I still have the original bearings in there as there has never been any corrosion. I can see no corrosion on the stainless fittings and watch the shrouds and trap lines pretty closely for any signs of corrosion under the vinyl. I just rinse it all down very well after every sail. I've dumped it a few times and never had any problems that I didn't create myself. None from corrosion or anything incident to sailing in salt water. Go sailing!!

Is there not a car wash close to where you take the boat out? A couple of minutes is all thats needed to get the salt off the boat and trailer.

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

There is a perceived devaluation of a boat that has been in salt water. The important thing here is to have fun with your boat. If a percentage or two of depreciation is worth sailing it locally and conveniently, then go for it. If you're more worried about resale value, then take the path more travelled, which never made any difference. We'll be sailing our new Getaway in both fresh and salt, taking proper precautions of course, but sailing out through the surf from Santa Cruz and possibly over to Monterey is well worth it to us. We're also planning to take it up and down the left coast and over to Salt Lake in the next year or so.

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Sea ya,
Chris Larsen
Co-Pilot of the Hobie Getaway
"The Twins"

~~(\_~~

I think you are worried about nothing. These boats were designed for saltwater sailing. I'm amazed at how many Hobies from the '70s and '80s still thrive around here in the Chesapeake Bay. Many are left on the beach year round with continuous exposure to sea spray. Unless you are planning to donate your boat to a museum or something....

These boats are called beach cats for a reason...
Hobie Cat was conceived on the beach in California. They're designed so that they can handle a beach/ocean environment.

That being said, a little maintenance is still a good idea. The biggest issue will be corrosion anywhere aluminum and stainless parts come in contact. After seeing how stainless + salt water will eat through aluminum, I try to make a habit of rinsing the salt off of all the aluminum parts after each salt water sail.

So go and enjoy the coast. But I would recommend taking 5 to 10 minutes when you get home to rinse off the mast, cross bars, rudders, boom, etc and your boat should be fine.

sm

Word!

And on a side note...

The worst thing for a boat is to let it sit. People that want me to sell their boats always try to tell me how it hasn't been sailed in XX years like it's a good thing. A boat that has been raced hard for 5 years is going to be waaay better off than a boat that's been sitting, usually "covered" for 5 years guaranteed.

J

Thanks for all the replies the main reason i posted that was to get other peoples thoughts on it. I understand why they are called a beach cat and i know they are more than ready and able to be sailed in the ocean. thanks again for the thoughts

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Mark
1989 Hobie 16
Sail # 92778