It looked like a perfect plan. We're not going anywhere this summer because the house needs new windows (energy cost have gone through the roof over the last few years). So we'll stay home and I will sail my Hobie a few times per week. Life could be worse.
In fact life has become A LOT WORSE. The rear beam is broken (corroded over the years, I guess) and no such part is in stock at any dealership in Germany, Belguim or France. I ordered a new part, but no delivery date is confirmed by Hobie Cat Europe.
Now I fully understand that HC18 parts are getting rare. The boat is out of production for more than a decade and nobody wants to stock spareparts; it's dead capital. You can find front beams (used ones in pristine condition) everywhere, but nobody has a used rear beam in the back of the toolshed. It seems like they never are in good-enough shape to keep them when some old boat gets slaughtered....
Keep an eye on yours - mine broke on both sides where the beam joins the hulls. Check the picture:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Nl7aX7ZAXPHwlPXC2It must have corroded for a long time before finally cracking. If Hobie Europe can't get the piece quickly, my summer's gone!
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Hobie 18 Formula, Hobie DuraGlide 10'10