Dear friends, I just came accross this thread.
I happen to have a NIB Hobie 18 SX here in El Salvador. 1994 model year, Mardi Gras sail suit, special order blue hulls from Hobie ($300 extra at dealer cost back then).
I bought this boat (one of two SX's) from Hobie Cat when I was a dealer back then. I use one of them, certain that the other would sell but this came not to be, everyone just kept buying 16's, so I decided to keep it. Since then I have scavenged certain parts from it for my used SX, namely one diamond wire, the jib and main sheet lines, all 4 J&H handles, the black nylon rudders (both of them), and the blue vinyl tramp. But the wings assy's, mast assy, and both hulls along with all the other aluminum extrusions now hard to come by are brand new in the box. I washed the hulls the other day and I had forgotten how new hulls shimmer!!!
The boat has paid El Salvador import taxes, but since I have the original certificate of origin along with the duty policy, it would not have to pay taxes upon reentering the United States. I estimate air shipping to the gulf coast around $2,000, and higher elsewhere. The cardboard boxes are now a bit deteriorated for air freight so I would wood crate it special very well and tight.
If anyone is interested in a purchase please email me at
[email protected]. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have and I can take pics. Please understand that given the current availability I cannot undersell this boat, It has been sitting in a nice warehouse and I've taken great care of the boat. IT IS BRAND NEW.