Newbie gets a 1984 Hobie 16

I will be getting a hobie 16 in June from the original owner, my uncle. Its all original. Anything I should look for.

Look for wind to start, but really, is there any soft spots on the top of the hulls? In front of the front cross bar is critical also check the bottom of the hulls for spots that are close to rubbing through the fibre glass.

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Bodhisatfa

Lots of things you should check, first and foremost is all the standing rigging, was it been used in salt water? It it has I would change all the rigging. Check the tramp to see if its starting to rip around the grommets. And for sure any major soft spots around the front pylons as they would need some serious looking in to.

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

I would start by talking with your uncle - the original owner since 1984. He probably has a lot of knowledge and experience with Hobie 16's and this boat in particular. Ask him about the maintenance he's performed and what he recommends be repaired or replaced. I think you should only replace/repair what's necessary and then get out and start sailing it. Enjoy it A.S.A.P. before spending time and money on upgrades and cosmetic improvements.
Congratulations and welcome to our group!
Rich

This same cat was the one I learned to sale on 20+ years ago when it was fairly new. It's been on a small fresh water lake in northern new jersey all it's life. Knowing my uncle it got sailed maybe twice to three times a year if that. He found out I was re-taking sailing lessons this summer so he gave me the Hobie, since that was my first taste of sailing those many years ago. I asked him what condition it was in. He said the sails have been gone over and freshened up, all the standing rigging was replaced once but is probaly 10 years old, new trampoline, and one soft spot on top of hull,didn't say where, but did say been like that for years and hasn't gotten bigger or weaker.

Here's what you're looking for...it's the list of Hobie Fleets in New Jersey from the HCANA website, and the quickest way to get "up to speed"

NEW JERSEY
24 Wally Myers Ocean City 609-390-8182 11
65 Rob Wingender Shore Acres YC 732-477-3242 11
137 Todd Walters Lake Hopatcong 973-945-4356 11
234 Tony Fassett Union Lake 856-558-2966 11
250 Vic Simon Sandy Hook 732-583-6558 11
267 Andy Keller Spray Beach YC 609-492-1713 11
443 John Shaw Delaware Bay 609-884-4989 11

http://www.hcana.hobieclass.com/site/hobie/hcana/downloads/class%20info/FleetListMastera.htm

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