My dealer told me today

My dealer told me today that the new hobie 16's have new lighter and stronger hulls from France. Does anyone know where he is coming from?

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Coronodo Hobie 16 SE 2008

New Hobie 16s sold in North America have hulls built in Australia. Stronger? Maybe. Lighter? Probably not by much, if any. The Hobie 16 has a class rule minimum weight of 320 lbs. It doesn't pay to make the boats sginificantly lighter than that (the boats would be less durable).

Hobie Cat Europe makes Hobie 16s in France, but they are not sold in North America.

I just built a 2008 boat last week for a customer, looks identical to when they were built in the us, I think that was 2 years ago.

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Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

I second what Matt said, France builds 16's, but the ones now sold here in the US are laid up by Hobie Australia.
I rather suspect the difference in quality is a myth perpetuated by the Australians.
Steve Fields (Hobie Australia) is very proud of the product his factory turns out, and rightfully so. But while it is indeed a good quality product, and Steve is a charismatic speaker, and a very nice guy, I do not belive his product is any "better" than the ones that were built here in the US.
I've sailed both the US and the AUS built H-18's and so far, can tell no difference.
I guess the good news from MY perspective is that the AUS built boats are every bit as good as the ones that were being built in the US.
The BEST News from my perspective would be if they would start building the H-18 again <Grin>

Stephen
H-18

According to Hobie, they still build 16 hulls in the US. They supplement from Australia to meet demand.

In fact, 16's are sold out till later this month.

Brian C

Are we going to see any price reduction in 2008 on the 16"s???

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

Published USA Price? Nope. Price went up.

Brian C

Dreamer. With the price of oil climbing faster than an SR-71, it'll be a long time before the price of anything that uses petroleum-based materials comes down.

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Exactly! Every time I order a spool of line or a gallon of Epoxy, prices are up from the time before. At least the sailcloth manufacturers haven't bent us over too bad... Yet.

Brian C

Didn't Hobie US buy Hobie Australasia?

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Alan
'86 H16, Sail #89057

Just out of curiosity, what are the annual sales numbers for the H16? are the sales numbers up from prior years?

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Arie
H 16 107568

sales numbers are kept strictly privet with Hobie. It is a privatively owned company I've been trying to find out how many units are sold each year for a while, its never gona happen.

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Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

Thanks Brad, it was worth a try!

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Arie
H 16 107568

Years ago.



Strong enough to force us to restart glass production in the USA after trying to move it all to Australia. Their sales are going though the roof! Ours are strong as well, but Hobie Cat Australasia covers the pacific rim and orient. These areas are doing quite well.

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