Hobie Cat Forums

I recently bought a H18 that had been sitting out for many years under a pine tree. It's pretty ugly. Luckily the sails have been kept inside. Very dirty, sheets have moss on them, etc. All the parts are there exept a tiller and one port cover.
Along with the deal I had to also take an older H16 (no trailer) that was in even worse shape and missing some parts.

My thought was to fix up the H16 and use it as practice so that when it's time to fix up the 18, I'll do a good job. Here's where it gets good...I made a list of parts to let my wife know that I was going to start ordering things. She let me know that she found all the parts for $100 on CraigsList.

So we get in the truck and drive 40 miles or so, show up to the house and there is an older H16 and a Prindle in the driveway. My wife gets out and says, "hook it up." Apparently this kid lives at home, had an H16 and then when out and bought a Prindle. He listed it for sale for $1,000 and no buyers. His Mom says, "get this thing out of my driveway, I don't care how much you sell it for" hence $100. Anyway, now I have 3 Hobies at my house on two trailers, all of which need some work. (but I do have all the parts)

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Go U.S.A.- America's Cup 34

i bought a 16 last year that was just on the good side of "basket case". I spent the winter and most of this summer taking it apart and putting her back together again, fixing soft spots, ect. I never owned a sail boat before let alone a hobie so I really had no idea where to start. With the help of this forum I got her on the water for Labor Day. Most of your questions can be answered just by doing a quick search of the forum but if not there are a bunch of sharpies on here that can talk you through anything.

good luck!!

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'73 hobie 16 restored 2011
'00 Seaswirl fishin boat

Thanks Reelknotty.

This should be a good winter project as well. I was thinking a father/son kinda of thing. The first thing I did was to pull out the power washer, start it up, and show my son how to power wash. Within minutes he had this huge smile on his face. He was amazed how much better the 18 looked right off the bat.

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Go U.S.A.- America's Cup 34

Short answer: Make 1 good 16 out of your parts. Sell the other 16 parts to help fund your new addiction. Same with the trailers. Throw on some new tires, bearings, throw on a coat of paint and get the lights working. Sell one to help fund the other two and the 18 rehab.

MBounds. You've got the plan exactly. I've got some cool ideas for the restoration of the anodized H16 that I'll keep under wraps for now...before and after pics too. If it comes out too good I might have to keep both and just sell the left over parts from the parts boat, we'll see.

Is there any way to polish the alumn. frame members and mast on the 18?

Thanks/MG

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Go U.S.A.- America's Cup 34

you can't polish anodized aluminum.

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'73 hobie 16 restored 2011
'00 Seaswirl fishin boat

Sorry I wasn't more clear. One of the H16s is anodized. The other H16 and the H18 are not. I'm really thinking about the 18. Thanks/MG

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Go U.S.A.- America's Cup 34

I could be wrong (I often am) but i think they are anodized. The more recent models are black and the earlier ones are clear but anodized non-the-less.

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'73 hobie 16 restored 2011
'00 Seaswirl fishin boat

ALL aluminum on Hobies is anodized - may it be clear or dyed black.

I'm working on an article for the class magazine on refinishing the aluminum - both clear and black. (The white powder coat stuff from the early '90s is useless.)

I have various brands and flavors of rattle-can spray paint to try out as well as various surface prep techniques. Promising-looking results will be tested for wear and weathering.

can't wait to see the article!! My aluminum could use some love

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'73 hobie 16 restored 2011
'00 Seaswirl fishin boat

What about lightly sandblasting the alum? Is anodization a coating or throughout the material?

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Go U.S.A.- America's Cup 34

anodizing is a coating but an extremely hard coating. I'm affraid sand blasting would end up ruining your otherwise good mast.

*****Disclaimer i have never tried this nor do i know if it is legit but i did find this article on de-anodizing*****

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/665.cfm

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'73 hobie 16 restored 2011
'00 Seaswirl fishin boat

I'll try that on a small piece, but the problem is that you're left with an un-anodized part that requires anodizing again.

Not to mention the impracticality of soaking a large part (like a mast) in a vat of caustic soda.

i was going to use my neighbors pool


you are right either anodized again or polished after every trip. but a mirror finished polish on the mast would look bad ass.

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'73 hobie 16 restored 2011
'00 Seaswirl fishin boat

You'll need some of those good Hobie sunglasses.