Age of mast to help determine age of boat

Quick question...when did Hobie use aluminum masts, as in colour?

The first boat I looked at had an "natural" aluminum finish rather than the black...and it didn't look like it had been faded, peeled or just chipped away, I doubt it was ever black.

Jeff.

What we called "Standard" was clear anodized aluminum. Black anodize came along in the early 80s. We had both "Standard" and "Special Edition" for awhile.

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

Plus how do you know it is original to the boat? My boat is an amalgamation.

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H18, H17 & Various motor boats

I was figuring that the mast was likely original.... but you never know...the sails aren't.

Jeff.

Black anodizing came along in the mid-70's (front & back cover from the July '75 HOTLINE:



The term "Special Edition" didn't come into use until much later - mid '80s

(and so you don't think I'm completly weird, I just happened to have this issue out for inspiration - I'm working on the program for HAVAMEGA. The cover photo is Hobie and Mary Edwards sailing on Lake Havasu)

Ya can never fool Mr. Bounds

Matt is Da Man!

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

Those red hulls look sweet when there brand new!

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1992 Hobie Cat 18 #16943
Hobie Fleet 198, Rapid City, SD

They're actually "tangerine" - a kind of reddish orange. The color balance is off in the original print - too much red. I didn't take the time to correct it in Photoshop.