How to Evaluate a Hobie 16

I've decided to buy a used Hobie 16 in Florida for about a $1000. I'm compiling this list of things to look at when I evaluate a boat. I've been lurking around the site, sailing a few rentals, and generally educating myself about what goes wrong with these boats. Can any of you add to my evaluation check list?

General Questions:

1. How has the boat been used?
2. When was the last time the sails and/or rigging were changed?
3. Can (it)we sail it today?

Hulls:

1. Does the deck have signs of de-lamination
(i.e. soft spots, changes in sound when you knock on it) ?

2. Does the gel coat look thin on the bottom of the hulls?

3. Are the hulls leaking?

Check the hulls or use a vacuum exhaust and soap and water to detect leaks.

4. Does the drain plug gasket look damaged? Open the plug. Is there a puff of air? (bad)

5. Check the deck to hull lip seam.

6. Are there inserted wings?

7. Does the hull have cracks near the rudder gudgeons?



Rudder:

1. Is the rudder system working?

Main Sail & Mast

1. Does the main sail have any rips in it? How has it been stored?

2. Is the Mast bent? Is there a comp tip?

Trampoline

1. Are there any stress cracks on the trampoline support bar?

Rigging

1. Are there holes drilled in to the hull for the bow tang fitting and shroud anchor pin?

Misc

2. Check the gudgeon screws, board fittings, and pylons.

This may be covered under the “Can we sail it today?â€

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1984 H16 - #80541

On a $1000 boat, nearly every answer to your questions will be yes. You're buying a boat for 1/9th of its MSRP new - it's going to have some warts. A lot of the stuff you mention is just cosmetic.

The important stuff is:

Are there any soft spots? (walk away and don't look back)

Is the mast straight? (if it's damaged above the tang, negotiate a lower price and install a Comptip)

Are all the pieces there? (put the boat together, sails up)

Everything else can be fixed. If you go picking the boat apart, the seller will turn his back on you and sell it to somebody else.

Certainly one of the biggest points I always mention! Sometimes a part missing can cost as much as the used boat.

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

$1000 for a H16 in Florida won't get you much! If it's an old boat with all the pieces there and it floats, it will most likely be a couple grand. My son and i searched all over fl a couple years ago for a 16 and $1k boats are plentiful but nothing we would own. good luck with your search..

I really appreciate the practical advice. Focusing on basic working condition with all the parts and all the other things you guys mentioned is my best bet. I wouldnt be able to talk intelligently about any of those repair issues anyway...but I'm surprised you guys think I cant get a Hobie for 1000. I've seen probably five ads in that ball park and not many any higher than that.

Oh don't misunderstand, you can get 1000.00 hobies all day long, just finding one that is solid and complete is the trick! You have an advantage in your area, there should be a ton floating around (HA!), Up here in the midwest we take what we can get.

Hi, Raffogator. I get this question constantly. You are obviously aware of the problem areas and MBounds is right on the money about the hulls and mast. What I tell people about buying used boats is to realize that the purchase price is just your entrance fee. Assume you will have to replace some items and factor that into the cost. Here are some of the most expensive items:
Sails $1200-$1500
Trampoline $600
Rudders $250 (just the plastic blades)
Trailer $1400 new
Most other components of a H16 are not that expensive. Rigging lines and hardware should add up to only a few hundred at worst. Replace the shrouds and forestay by all means. It's relatively cheap. Good luck and definitely walk away from the delaminated hull. (Check for soft spots in front of the forward pylons!)
Todd Craig
Inland Sailing Company
www.inland-sailing.com

One other thing to think about...My rule is if the owner can't tell you when the rigging was replaced, and if they can and it's been longer than 5 years(Hobie says 2) set aside some dough for a complete set of rigging...including anchor pins. It's cheap insurance.

Have fun with your Boat!!

OOPSIE!


Taken from a Hobie 18

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Sail Revolution
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Hm I guess my ones are original from 1994.
Should the shrouds really be changed after 2/5 years?.
We've already had older shrouds (not on the Hobie) and never ever had problems with them.

I wanted to replace them anyway, because I want shrouds with the black plastic around.

What's the price for original hobie shrouds and forestay?

Thanks
Chriss

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1994 HC16