Hobie Cat Forums

I found a boat for sale local to me, however the seller doesn't know anything at all about the boat.

It looks like a Hobie to me. He thinks it's 16' long, but I'm not so sure.

Any experts out there?

That is a Hobie 16 of what looks to be late '70s / early '80s vintage.

Awesome, thanks!

Anything specific I should be wary of?

All the parts are there?... hull delamination... bent mast... intact sail.

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Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

The biggest thing to look for is that the hulls are not laden with soft spots. Check all over. Tops (even under the tramp), sides (both sides of both hulls) and transoms. Wiggle the gudgeons to make sure they are not loose and if they are loose check very close for possible structural damage. Also check where the bridle and shrouds attach for possible damage. Most hull issues are repairable but if it has soft spots they will return even after you have repaired them.

Sails are expensive so open them and inspect them very close. Check the batten pockets, battens, and the batten pocket end caps. Check for fraying of the sail at the luff, that's fairly common in older sails. Some sail damage can be repaired but the more repairs made the weaker the sail becomes.

Make sure the mast is straight. Complete standing rigging replacement is a good idea unless the existing rigging is virtually new. Check for fraying very closely and if there is ANY question then it should be replaced. You don't want to snap a shroud or forstay and your rig fall when you are out of sight of your launch site. And as a rule, I would replace all standing rigging at the same time.

The more you must replace the more expensive it gets but for the most part if the hulls, mast and sails are in good shape anything else can be replaced as needed. Every couple of weeks I replace something on the one I bought 3 months ago. This winter I will rework the hulls and by spring my boat will be in good shape except for those mis-matched sails.

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Big Dan
1982 H16

Hot Flash #68984

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll check the hulls over for soft spots, that's not something I knew to check for. I did go look at it for about 10 minutes tonight, but it was getting dark. From what I could tell the trampoline is in good shape and the mast is straight, but I need to go back for another look.

The price (and location) is right so I might buy it regardless of what I find.

Hahaha! I know what you mean. I did the same thing. I found several soft spots and never thought to unroll the sails. The mast is straight and all rigging was there plus extras so I overpaid for it and took her home. Not many cats available here this time of year. Everybody is sailin' instead of sellin'. But the hulls are airtight and the boat is safe so I sail her every weekend and replace worn parts every couple of weeks. Let us know how it goes.

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Big Dan
1982 H16

Hot Flash #68984

Will do!

Asking price is $200. I think as long as the sails are there and it floats, I can't really go wrong.

Famous last words. . . Beware of buying work, or worse, an unsafe boat.