Everything is soooo right, but not sure about the hull color

Someone just emailed me about their 1981 Hobie 16 they'd like to sell. Everything is perfect except I'm not sure about the hull color, bright yellow! I was hoping for white. Here are some photos. What do ya think?

I think that might have been burnt orange. Not bright yellow. Called Gonzo?

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Linda,

Just curious how much as I just bought an 81 myself?

Matt, I think you're correct on the hull color. Looks like it is Gonzo.

http://www.fleet297.org/PDFs/H16_Sail_Patterns.pdf (1981, #56)

Wow those hulls look to be in great shape... I would go for it!

The trailer looks really good too. For a person like me who has to drag their boat around a bunch.... that means a lot. And i think the color is pretty cool. Vintage =)

It looks really good Linda. Be sure to check for soft spots. It has anti pitchpole foils on the bows. Also has the newer trap handles. They will not knock your teeth out. It has a great looking sail storage "tube" or box. Looks good. If the price is right, go for it, unless you will later on regret having a yellow boat. It looks as though this boat has been well taken care of.

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'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

When I thought I'd seen everything... Hobie owners, left to their own devices, never cease to amaze me with ideas

Check out the mast positioned under the tiller cross bar

ps Linda, I think the hull color is unique, not many Gonzo's around anymore, and all you can get now is white ps

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Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

Yep, that's a mint condition Gonzo.

Need to get that mast over the tiller crossbar, though. Wicked upward curve in it.

If you check out the latest HOTLINE (on-line here) in the Hobie History section, you'll see a lightbar / mast support that rode on top of the rudder castings. Like I said in the caption for that ad, "that's harsh on the equipment."

I have a "gonzo" 1981 H16 and really like the color. It is more of a burnt orange than a bright yellow, but maybe thats because I don't clean it well enough. The color gives the boat alot of character. Go for it, white hulls are boring!

Banana Boat!!

While these "Gonzo" hulls are a unique color and all, I am concerned about any future repairs that would have to be done to them. How would you match the burnt orange color if you had to repair any nicks, scratches, or holes in the fiberglass? Obviously, I wouldn't want white patches.

My other question is: I don't like the color scheme of these sails whatsoever. I'm just not into brown and orange. What color scheme would compliment these "Gonzo" hulls (Tequila Sunrise maybe?), and how much do new Hobie sails cost?

Thank you so much for all of your input and advice.

Pick one here.

http://www.hobiecat.com/support/pdfs/SailColorHistory.pdf

I saw that, but how would I repair the gonzo colored hulls?

We will be looking at two Hobie 16s today. One is the 1981 Gonzo Hobie 16, the other Hobie 16 is a 1980 with yellow hulls being sold as a package with a vintage Sunfish (great for learning how to sail). Here are photos of the 1980 Hobie 16 and the Sunfish:

This 1980 Hobie 16 has solid hulls. The standing rigging, tramp, and mainsheet/block were replaced new in 2005. Jibsheet/blocks were replaced new in 2007. Hotstick tiller in 2007. Trapeze wires & harnesses are included. The Sunfish trailers underneath the Hobie.

The 1981 Gonzo Hobie 16 comes with a newer trailer (with a large sail box), anti-pitch pole foils, mast stepper, mast cradle, great sails and rudders, trapeze, harness, extra parts, a good tramp and solid hulls.

Decisions, decisions...