Hey,

I just bought my first hobie 16 I am a little worried its 1980 and I am not to sure what to look for as for bad spots and if all the equipment is intact.

I know I can use the search function but I fiqured I could kill two birds with one stone and get an intro out of this as well! being that I am new to your web forum. .

any insite would be great guys thanks alot.

Check for soft spots or crunching sounds when you press on the hulls. They can be fixed but they are a pain.

Also the 16 is fun and fast when well sailed so you should have a great time.
Try rigging the boat and if everything is there it will be sail able but if not ask and use pictures and we can help.

gree

Hey bowtiewarrior,

Welcome to cat sailing. I am new myself and found a lot of help by downloading the Hobie 16 Assembly manual from Hobies website:

https://secure.hobiecat.com/www/sailing/part_manuals.html

Here are parts diagrams for the different Hobies:

http://www.hobiecat.com/sailing/part_diagrams.html

And a learn to sail guide from Hobie:

http://www.hobiecat.com/support/pdfs/HobieU.pdf

Also I purchased the book "Catamran Sailing from Start to Finish" by Phil Berman. I have found it to be a very good book. I know the first couple of chapters would be very, very basic for 99% of the folks on this board, but I found them to be very informative. So, if you are new to sailing cats, I would recommend it. This forum is watched by a lot of helpful folks, so I am sure they will help you along. They have certainly been a help to me.

Walter

Hey Thanks for the input guys! I have sailed in the past on a H16 But i it wasn't mine so I didn't get a chance to pilot it my self so I am looking forward to having a blast!

The person I bought it from said they have a set of hikers for the boat can someone explain what hikers are?

I've never heard of that term. (Maybe it's a midwestern thing) He may have meant hiking straps, trap wires or harness.

Other key areas to check on a used boat: Check to see if there is excessive wear under the hulls. It is ideal if you don't see any gelcoat wear through on the bottoms of the hull, but some is acceptable for a boat of that age.

Check your rudders so they are not too sloppy and that they will lock and break loose freely. Hopefully they are aligned alike with a slight rake underneath the boat. I don't think the 80 model has the adjustment bolt on the tiller arm for rudder rake, so it can be a pain to redrill holes on the rudders.

Check the sails for rips or mildew. Hopefully they were stored in a dry area.

I would recommend checking out the area Catamaran Associations in your area and try to meet some local sailors. Check the links section of this site... they have links to all the associations.

As soon as you are comfortable on the boat, go to a regatta. Don't feel like you have to be competitive, but learn some basic right of way rules first. We're a friendly group and always offer to help and give advice. You'll learn alot by seeing how others are rigging their boats.

Have fun.

May have meant trap seats.

If sails have mildew spray with shower mold cleaner and scrub. Leave for a half hour and wash off with a broom and hose.

I would have to say its kickers are something related to the trap seats.. but I am unsure. I the boat is set up and the sail is in good shape. there is a Rigs brothers (a sail/convert top place) by my house The owner said he can pretty much fix anything if needed.

The I have sailed on and helped set up a 1985 hobie 16 are there many differences to the 1980?

I have a 80 and a 95 model H16. There are very few differences in the 2. That is the nice thing about Hobie staying strict on that one design class. Probably the biggest design change was the integrated main traveler track in the back crossbar that was changed in the early 90s.. As far as the 80 to 85 models go, I don't think there were any changes during that time. If I remember correctly, Hobie did start making the 16 a little lighter around that time. That was also about the time they introduced the EPO rudders. But all that was more to sell more boats to the hard core racers. Other rigging differences you would probably see in 16s would be modification made by someone that raced it. Maybe added cam cleats for the jib travel system or an Ausie haylard system.

But these things aren't essential to just having a good time or making it go fast... Going fast has more to do with the "loose nut on the tiller".

well you guys have been great I am going to pick it up saturday and hopefully sail it sunday!! wooo hoo lol I am sure I will have millions of questions on monday!

Thanks again.

Just remember the golden rule: the boat sails faster when the mast points upright. Sideways is slow. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Ok, I wasn't kiddin about haveing eight thousand questions when I came back....

1st. The boat sails damn good thus far it does need some work tho.

My first Question is Can I paint the hulls? They are all chipped and the owner painted it with weird paint that seems to rub off.

Second I the picture below shows a small chip in the top of hull.... what can I repair this with is there some sort of hobie bondo? or body filler?

Third, I have sailed on a 1988 hobie and the steering is way diffrent than my 1980... can anyone show me pictures of there steering?

Fourth, can anyone recomend any website to buy hobie parts? the boat came with trap lines but they are in box not attached to the mast. but they lack the handles and the diaper mount, so I would like to get thos set up.

Fifth, If I can paint the hulls has any one ever done this and how does it look? I am going to powerwash the old paint off then this winter...

Thats my questions so far I have a lot more but I would like to type them in small amounts.

here is a few more pics of my boat.




Thanks for your help.

Try not to be upset if the answers are slow or ill humored. We have been through this so many times.

Please do a thorough search of this site, particularly the online store. But, the answer is yes to all.

As for paint, use a high quality automotive product and follow their directions. "Regular" paint is a waste of your time.

No worries I can expect to be flamed for my questions I am sure I am not the first to ask them and I know I will not be the last. lol

Would you recomend a Flex addative when using an automotive paint? and just any kinda of bondo?

Regarding a "hobie Bondo" try "formula 27" I think it is by Evercoat. You can find it at West Marine. It has worked well for me in the past for small dings.

Nope. Follow the directions on the can. Especailly where preparation is concerned. Power washing isn't going to be enough.

Thank you,
I just bought the boat so I am trying to rever some of damage that has been done this way I can hope it will last another 27 years.

Formula 27 sounds like a bad movie but I will look into it Thank you.

I have a new question I have been trying to search of a good thread on fixing soft spots.. and I have had no luck and anyone help out on a link? the boat has two spots one on each hull infront of the bulkhead I would think from people sitting on it..

Agreed! painting is never an easy task if you want good results. what colors have you seen hulls painted I am kinda worried about darker colors because they can be scracthed off when you beach the boat...

Stay as close to the original color as possible.

See I really dont know what the original color is the boat has at lease 3 coats of different blue paint on it and its seems to be tan under the paint...