I've been out of racing for about 12 years (kids!) and am thinking about getting back in. I understand there have been some changes to the boats in that time. What are those changes, and how important are they?

In the last 10 years?

Mostly upgrades to standard equipment. This year the wires got a change as well. Longer forestay and shorter shrouds.

Jib cars / travelers
EPO2 Blades
Mast step and mast base changed (2004)
Slight changes to the Jib
Changes to the hull lips for better seal

I have a 2008 Hobie 16. I have had a 14' and also a 16' a while back. From what I understand the boat comes pretty much only one way now, with many things (such as the epo rudders)that before were an upgrade.
It was a little pricey but I am on the Jersey beach with 15 other catamarans and take out different crew mostly who have older boats, and they LOVE the new Hobie.
Biggest thing I hear from them is how easy it is to maneuver, the rudder system, especially with lots of wind.
Only thing I paid more for was custom sail and neoprene on tramp rails. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

You Lusky B@&%^&d! I'll have a brand new Hobie one day! But for now I'm happy to have one at all. I thought I was having fun in my Windrider 16 till I got the Hobie!!!! I'm still kinda new to the whole sailing thing though and it sure is fun learning. Why did I wait almost 50 years to do this???

Has the rudder housing changed since 1984? Is there something available now which is more reliable and easier to operate then the cams?

Regards
Chet

Matt,

You did't mention that "Newly designed" front crossbar extrusion ... or was that the Jib traveler and cars???

Just for my education ... can you install a "new" front crossbar on a old H16 to upgrade the mast step and jib traveler all at the same time???

Dave,

Don't you have the "old" EPO's on your boat? If you need help I can refinish your old blades for you

You still have that H14??? Please get in touch w/ Danny .... some of the old time Div 11 sailors are trying to revive the H14 class locally (I think their kids are taking over their H16's).

It has not been offically announced yet but at the RHYC Annual One-Design Regetta in June there WILL be a one-design start for the H14 ... we are working currently on obtaining sanctioning from the HCA-NA under their new policy ... but we need (5) boats min to obtain that sanctioning ... WE WILL NEED YOU and YOUR BOAT!!!

Keep in Touch ol'Friend
Harry

An '85 showed up from Oregon at the NAC's with new crossbars. Said they came for a newer "donor" boat and consequently, very inexpensive. Boat still weighed three, forty, something IIRC.

Rather than go through all that work and cost, I'd try to find a '95 or newer boat, and live with the mast step if pre '00.

The new jib cars / travelers are a different (more recent) upgrade than the integrated crossbar. I'm pretty sure the crossbars are interchangable with the old style.

Depending on how accurate your math is with your estimate of 10-12 years since you've been around...

There was a fairly major set of changes circa 1996. This involved:

Integrated travelers (instead of raised, riveted track), both front and rear crossbars were redesigned. The front was redesigned to incorporate cheek blocks for remote/shock-cord traveler adjustment.

Improved design of pylons (no more mast section with sail track).

One-piece rudder gudgeons.

Hobie 20 Miracle style tiller connectors.

Aussie jib halyard became standard.

More recently, 6:1 downhaul became class legal, as well as an adjustable jib halyard setup.

Of these, I think the biggest performance improvements were the rudder gudgeons and tiller connectors. Everything else primarily improved durability, ease of use, etc.

Mike

Because that happened more than 10 years ago (1995).

You'd have to buy all the parts separately to do a full upgrade if you replaced the extrusion. About the only thing that's the same is the dolphin striker and post. Even the castings changed to include the turning blocks.

Post 2002 head sail points higher, I learned the hard way (expense), after going to a major regatta.

I placed the 2002 H16 jib on top of the old (2000).
1. The luff was 5 inches longer
2. so, more sail area in head.
3. Straight leech at head, vs scalloped in old.
4. The clew appeared to be 1-2 inches higher
The main difference to me is:
5. Luff curve (JLA) is MINUS 1 to 1.5 inches on the new,
to me this explains why my old headsail would point as high as everyone else.
(night & day, very full luff) Some say old fuller jib also backwinds the main.

http://www.catsailor.com/forums/ubb...ords=sail7seas&Search=true#Post34513

ITS GOT A SPINNAKER

No, it doesn't. Not for adult class racing it doesn't.

I just can't believe they took the cooler rack off. What the hell is up with that? Now we gotta keep our morning beer in the stupid tramp bag and it get warm. Nothing like a couple 'room temp' Busch Lights before 10:30am

You tell 'em Chris
... and what about the Cheata, the 1st outboard motor bracket for the hobie 16
... now you gotta sail the thing! Dang!

Da Cheata

Screw that....my "tramp bag" holds a case of beer and an 8 lb. bag of ice. Sure, it's kind of in the way, but....well...you know....it's important.

Harry - I've been off list for awhile, thanks for the post. I would love to try to participate with my 14. The problem now is my starboard hull is seriously delaminated ahead of the forward pylon. The local dealer says it is so delaminated that epoxy injection will not work, and given the age (25 years) it may be cost prohibitive to cut it out & re-fiberglass. Unfortunately I don't have the time to think about tackling that myself that anytime soon. So I need either new starboard hull or a new 14. Does anybody know of a decent H14 starboard hull lying around anywhere in the mid-Atlantic? Or a decent used 14?

Harry - shoot me a call sometime, 443-569-2007

Thanks,

David Nolte
H14 (sort of) H16, N5.0

I'd get another opinion about the possibilities of repairing your soft spot with epoxy injection. The dealer has a conflict of interest. -(Why fix an old boat, when you could buy a NEW boat? Why spend $40, when you could spent $10,000?)
I fixed a two foot long delamination on my old Hobie! I've had to do three seperate injection fixes over the years. The little spots look a bit odd, but my beer barge is still sailing.