How and where are you going to launch this boat?

A 600 lb boat will not drag easily over the sand.. no matter what kind of beach wheels you get. A hobie 16 was made for trailer to beach kind of life.

If you plan to launch at a ramp, sink the trailer, float the boat off and then tie up to a dock to put sails up... different story.

Think of this choice between an antique car (p cat) and an old reliable very used toyota corrola.


When looking at 1000 dollar boat... It's the condition that matters more then age... replacing any of the bits... tramp and sails, rigging, rudders, strait mast, traveler car, boom, blocks will get expensive really quickly.. and amount to a signficant chunk of change for what you put in it originally.

Safety issues like standing rigging matter... you don't want to be dismasted 3 miles from home in 15 knot blow. WAF = -100!

rudder castings are a constant aggravation when the boat ages. Nothing worse then sailing a cat with the rudders locked down but not under the boat... = helm to kill you.

Fiberglass soft spots ... you don't want to learn a new craft before you go sailing. failure could lead to hull breaking up in big waves.... WAF = -200

The running rigging status are things you can put up with on a beach boat.

Finding your local cat club/yacht club will make you some new friends and get some valuable local knowledge and advice!