Is it advisable to purchase a 1991 Hobie 18?

I have an old friend with a hobie 18. It is very lightly used and in overall great shape. The hulls are immaculate. The sails too. The tramp is a bit dated but really showing very little wear. Bungies, and some accessories need replacing but with a trailer, a mast float it's a lot of boat for $2500 if you ask me. Am I an easy mark?

What can I do about part replacement? Are parts available for a boat this old? I have kids and want to purchase some wings and maybe a new tramp. Are they possible with this boat?

Thanks for any advice on price, parts availability, other little known facts that I should be wary/aware of.

Hobie 18s generally hold there price around $1800 to $2800 depending on condition and accessories. Anything newer than 1989 seem to hold up well and are updated. If you have the money and want to race, buy the F-18 Tiger. Us poor people race against other Hobie 18s if there is enough to make a class or race portsmouth.
If the boat has a set of wings you can cruise in comfort. (or sell them and and make a few bucks).

Thanks for the input, one more question.

With the demise of the production of hobie 18, are wings available from the company?

Wings are still available.

Expect that parts for the 18 will be available for many years to come.

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

During the mid 90's, the 18's came with defective hulls. I had both replaced free of charge by the company but not before having one completely break in two during a regatta 5 miles offshore. Not a good day!
The thing that amazed me was that even capsized on the broken hull it didnt sink. All I had to do was sit still, roll up my sails, tie everything up and wait for a tow.

They later fixed the production problem. Still a great boat. Have a 78 hobie 18, original sails, love it. Teaching my 12 yo girl to sail!

Not the mid 90s... it was mid 80s

Production problems were in the mid 80s.

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