I've been wanting to abandon the condom-type sail bag for some time now, since it is just a pain when you are trying for a quick takedown, so I finally ordered the Hobie Deluxe bag. This has a full-length zippered top, so the idea is that I can simply drop the sail into the bag. Based on one weekend of use, I'd say that I can sort of do that.
The catalog says, "...will fit any Hobie sail and boom... Ends unzip to extend for extra long parts." Apparently "extra long parts" is Californian for Hobie 16 sail and boom, because without flapping the two ends down those parts just won't fit. This is a bit of a disappointment since you no longer have the zip-top box effect with the ends folded down; the zippers now go all the way to the ground so there are no closed end walls. And it's still a tight fit to get the H16 boom in there.
I might see if I can sew the zippers together an inch or two from the ends to give me some sort of end walls when I drop the boom in, at least on one end, but I may need every inch of opening that I can get. Basically I really wish the thing were long enough to hold the H16 parts in its normal configuration, or maintained the box shape when it unfolds, but it's just not built that way. At first I thought I had the wrong length bag, but there is only one.
Overall I think it was not a bad buy, and I like having a bag that I can put more stuff into (since I don't have a trailer box) but when it wears out I think I will build one that works the way I thought this one worked. Unless someone else makes & sells one first.
_________________
'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages
Login
Register
FAQ
