H17 with jib but no speader bar

Hi,

I have been offered to buy a Hobie 17 which has been rigged with a jib but doesn't have a spreader bar. The seller told me the design/build of boats sold in the 90's was adjusted making the spreader bar unnecessary. Since I have seen no evidence of this but given that my knowledge is limited it makes me a bit uncertain. What to see for in terms of damages when looking at the boat?

Any advice will be appreciated.

Regards Jakob

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I'm not 100% sure but that does sound wrong. Without a spreader bar the load on the bow/hulls would be too great.
So does he use the standard uni bridal (for cat rig) and hoist a jib up or the sports rigging minus the spreader bar?

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2007 Hobie 16 - 'Slingshot'
1996 Hobie 18 - 'Onrails'
Hobie Bravo - 'Hobie Bites'

All the H17S I've seen were equipped with a spreader bar, including build in 90's. You may be ok in light air, but otherwise you may crack your hulls sailing without a spreader. You may be able to get a used one, but a new one may be expensive. I would skip this one and keep looking for a complete boat.

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H17

Thanks. I'll keep looking for a healthy boat. He sold it to someone else.


_/) _/)

Hobie 14 Turbo

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