Buying a Hobie 18

I am interested in buying a new boat (well my first buy and not brand new as i dont have that kind of money)

But i think i have sussed it down, i much prefer the Hobie 18 to the Hobie 16, and im around 75 kilo and my mate i will sail with mostly is something like 80 kilos, so anything smaller is out of the question, plus i would like to modify it somewhat as i am almost as interested in that as the actual sailing, so a good Hobie 18 seems perfect (No class racing, but a great local "Open Cat" class is perfect).

Anything to look for in them? (damages long term problems or things that will proove too costly in the long term)

I have found one perfect late 80's one but is doesnt have a mailsail, any hints as to priceing in AUD, and its not perfect condition but it will do (pics coming soon), (mast also has slight asthetic damage only at the top). But price wise what would i be looking for there? (Also; comes on tralier registered, older model wings, jib, well stored, may need no repairs at all).

Any other reccomendations, im here and keen to buy one asap. (In Perth, Western Australia)

Regards,

Nelson

At least you've made a good choice in the boat you want, and buying a boat at the end of summer should get you a good price since the owner probably doesn't want to spend money storing it over the off-season (that is, if Perth has an off-season). Your question has been answered many times, but I'll try to remember the boilerplate, and maybe some other regulars will fill in what I miss.

1. Check the hulls for soft spots or delamination, since this is very likely a deal-breaker. Others on this forum have reported fixing theirs, but be suspicious.
2. Unless you know for certain how old it is, it is strongly suggested to replace the standing rigging (shrouds and pins). Just do it.
3. Look for repairs made and ask about any you find. The same goes for corrosion.
4. Check if modifications can be un-modified.
5. Don't worry if the trampoline needs replacing, you can still get a new one. Hobie tramps are highly recommended for their durability.
6. As for the mainsail missing, that's not a big deal if you have the money to replace it. I don't know what the aftermarket for sails is like in Australia, but you can't go wrong with a Hobie OEM sail.
7. Check the jib furler for sloppiness or stickiness caused by wear, and if in doubt don't hesitate to buy the rebuild kit offered in the catalog. Having a smoothly working furler means one less hassle.
8. Have the owner rig the boat, and if willing, take you for a sail to see if anything is missing or needs replacement.
9. The Hobie 18 is a bullet-proof boat in many respects, and if it is well cared for it will give many years of service.
10. Order a Hobie catalog so you know how much you'll spend on parts replacements.
11. Make friends with your compatriots - http://hobie-au.ning.com/
12. I don't know anything about prices in your market, but a post-1987 boat in good condition is a rare find and should be strongly considered. And the wings make the boat even more desirable.

Here's to hoping you join us.

Completeness and overall condition of the boat, particularly the main components, are the biggest issues. Solid strong hulls with no soft spots and no major cracking at the crossbar connections are definitely high on the list. Also inspect the main structrual members for cracking and corrosion this includes crossbars, mast, and boom. Keep in mind that the 18 was discontinued in 2003, so getting replacement parts for some major components may be an issue. Sails, tramps, and other small components generally shouldn't be a problem. New replacement part costs can add up quick. In the US, an OEM replacement mainsail is close to $1k and a tramp is in the $500+ range. Even a full replacement set of shrouds (highly recommended) is several hundred bucks. All stuff to keep in mind when looking at an older boat that needs work.

sm

HI . I have a virtually unused Hobie 18 main and jib, White for racing, if you would have interest. I am on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, if you are interested. I also have unused new rudders and other parts off my racing machine.