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PostPosted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 9:04 am 
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Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:14 pm
Posts: 5
Hi,

We set our eyes on a Hobie 18 blue (like Model #35 Blue Streak from '78 http://static.hobiecat.com/2010_archive/support/pdfs/SailColorHistory.pdf) with wings (short ones) and the owner can't see/feel the serial.

He mention the boat was painted and he couldn't see it when he got it second hand.

Could it be an older boat (say... from around '78 :D ) with wings attached later?

What should we look after when we see it tomorrow? :shock:

Also, is there something like a "bad year" for the 18' Hobie?

We used to look at a '92 Miracle but we can't find a trailer for it and paying ~1000 to keep it at a marina/club is out of questions.

Really appreciate your timely responses :)


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PostPosted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 10:56 am 
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Joined: Wed May 25, 2011 3:15 pm
Posts: 610
Location: Buffalo, NY
There are definitely "good" years and "bad" years.

A few of the years in the 80's had boats that have a tendency for hull failure after 20-30 years. That doesn't mean that they aren't a good purchase, it just means that you have to inspect them closely for signs of wear. Those same boats were lighter and faster than most others, and with some reinforcement, will last just as long. The previous owner(s) may have even reinforced it already.

Here's a guide of hull concerns by year: http://www.thebeachcats.com/forums/view ... 98/start/0

Here's a good guide of what to look for in general: http://www.sailingproshop.com/catamaran_guide.aspx

Wings can (and have) been added to any year Hobie 18. Depending on the year, if the wings were added afterwards, you'll want to make sure that the boat has D-shaped SS reinforcement anchor plates under the hull lip where the forward crossbar meets the hull if it has wings, or plan on adding them ($50).

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Mike
Image
'79 H18 standard 'Rocketman II' sail #14921 RIP
'78 H18 (unnamed) sail #14921
'08 H16 sail #114312
'97 H21SC sail #238


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PostPosted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 11:11 am 
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Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:14 pm
Posts: 5
Thanks for the reply.

I'm immersing myself in the links you sent.

THANK YOU!


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PostPosted: Sun Oct 26, 2014 12:15 pm 
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Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Wed May 25, 2011 3:15 pm
Posts: 610
Location: Buffalo, NY
No Problem.

I was a little rushed in my post before, but essentially, the biggest things to look for on any beach cat is soft spots, water inclusion and bottom wear.

    Soft spots are very common in older boats and in areas of constant compression & UV exposure, i.e. the top of the hulls forward of the rear crossbar, aft of the crossbar, etc. If you press on the hull, it should feel rock hard. If it feels spongy, soft, or makes a crunch, that's a soft spot. They can be repaired with epoxy and some drilling, but they'll keep showing up more and more as the boat ages.

    Check the hulls to make sure they're dry. If there's water inside the hull, it could be an indication of a leaky hull, and it could cause soft spots down the road (if it hasn't already).

    Check the bottoms of the hulls. If the gel coat has worn to the point that fiberglass is visible, the bottoms need to be recoated. This is a rather involved, but relatively routine bit of maintenance.

In addition to the big three there, and the other items identified in the articles I linked you to, keep an eye out for the following:

    Solid mast or comptip? Solid masts are better for performance and less likely to leak, but are not race compatible. Comptips allow you to race, but they de-power the boat slightly, and if it's a retrofit, has a tendency to leak.

    As I mentioned, you'll need the reinforcing brackets at the crossbars if you have wings. They're $50/pair if they're not already installed. Check the wings and crossbars for any cracking. These are heat treated aluminum, and cannot be welded.

    Check the mast step on the forward crossbar. It should be riveted tight, with no movement and no gap underneath. If it's not, it needs to be re-riveted, or it will cause cracks in the crossbar.

    Don't neglect the trailer. If it's in bad shape, you'll need to put some TLC into fixing it. Mine, for example, was extremely rusty, had rollers (not good for the Hobie 18), no working lights and no means of supporting the mast aft.

All in all, the Hobie 18 is a fantastic and versatile boat, and replacement parts are available for almost everything. Therefore, bad rigging or rudders or sails or trampoline are not a dealbreaker, but they may be indicative of the care the owner took towards the boat as a whole. The hulls are irreplaceable, so make sure they're in good condition. Crossbars, mast and daggerboards are very expensive and difficult to ship, so check those too. New sails and trampolines are also expensive. The rest is pretty replaceable. You can expect to replace the rigging if it's older than 3-5 years.

A note on painted hulls: It looks nice, but it adds weight and makes future repairs more challenging because it's not as simple as re-applying gel coat or buffing/polishing out the oxidation. Not much to do about it after the fact, however.

I know it's a lot, but don't get overwhelmed by it. The goal is to have fun, so in the end, just keep an eye out for the major stuff and resolve to fix the minor stuff as you go! It's all part of boat ownership. :D

_________________
Mike
Image
'79 H18 standard 'Rocketman II' sail #14921 RIP
'78 H18 (unnamed) sail #14921
'08 H16 sail #114312
'97 H21SC sail #238


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