Aussie Part Prices Crazy !

Broke the 'lower roller unit', part no. 106. on my main sail traveller yesterday.(Hobie 16)

Replacement cost ...80 Australian dollars (62 US dollars)!

For a small plastic like component this seems crazy. Maybe I'm missing something.

Do I have any options?

Thanks,
Hibbo

According to the class rules, you can use anything that'll fit into the existing track. If you're handy, I suppose you could make something similar.

If you're not racing, you can do whatever you want, but I think that replacing the track and traveller car will cost you a lot more than $80 AUS

Parts have always been (relatively) expensive.

When the roller bearing traveller car was introduced in 1975 it was $12 US for the lower unit. That works out to about $43 US today. If you're boat is '95 or newer, it's got the improved version with bigger, brass wheels rather than the little stainless steel ones.

Matt (Bounds),

You are right, the part is $43.60 USD in the Catalog in the USA. About $57 Aussie as a direct conversion.

Australia has other costs in this part that include minimal margin for Hobie Cat USA, exchange rates, shipping, customs, Office and warehouse overhead, packing and dealer freight to cover as well.

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

The part that broke appears to be solid black plastic or similar, about 4 inches long with a thin stainless steel rod passing through it.

It has no wheels of any description, just a mushroom shaped moulding that slides in the track.

The boat is early 70's vintage and just used for fun.

Appreciate your replies.

Thanks,
Hibbo

I replaced my early '70s traveler car with a newer one that has little stainless rollers inside. Works WAY better. (Although I DO need more silicone spray in there... was kinda sticky last time I went out...)

What kind of traveler system do you have?

_________________
Warm regards,

Jim

Here is a 105:



The lower is turned 90%.

How about a picture of the whole car you have?

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

Matt - he's got one of the "original" Tracker cars before roller bearings were class legal. Looks just like the ones now, except it had an inverted "T" shape that fit into the track No rollers.

Real museum piece if you ask me.