buying second hand

Push firmly on the inside of both hulls. They should flex a little. If you hear a cracking noise, you should keep on looking. Also, check the decks in front of the pylons...same here, push on them, and if they look like they have a big wave--not flat, they are delaminating... Most of the other stuff (sails, hardware, tramp...etc.) can be repaired or replaced...may cost a small fortune.

Catsailor has a classified, and this link are good places to look:

http://www.catsail.com/classified.shtml

A couple of other things to look for are:

A loose fit between the pylons and corner castings. Most boats have a little slop here but if it seems excessive you may have to do some work to reduce the slop. A loose sloppy boat is a slow boat especially in heavier seas.

Look carefully at the trailer for the condition of the tires, bearings and wiring. Any of these items that aren't servicable can cost a lot to fix.

Also, if you're going to race, look for a post '84 model as it will be about 35 pounds lighter.

Cheers

Thanks for the great information, how do you tell what year the hobie was made in.

Thankyou

Petro

Petro:

I would first recommend that you wait for the right deal to pop up. I purchased a H16 earlier this year for $550 and just bought a TheMightyHobie18 a couple of weeks ago for $400. No, neither of these boats were grimy, run down, delapidated or lemons. I just happened to find two different people that NEEDED to get rid of their boats. The 16 needs more upgrades than the 18, but that is because I got a sweet deal on the 18 (already had upgrades on it). Both were complete with trailer and I even got cat trax with the 18! Just bide your time and the right one will come up. I would highly recommend looking at:

http://www.sailingproshop.com/Catamaran.htm

This is a comprehensive guide to anyone who wants to buy any type of cat. I would keep my eyes open on:

http://www.catsail.com/classified.shtml

http://www.boattraderonline.com/

and of course here on Rick's site. All are good places to find used boats.

Lastly, you wanted to know how to tell what year the Hobie was made in. If you look on the rear of the hull, you can find a ID number and the last two digits of the number represent the year the hull was made.

Good luck in your search!!! See you on the water!

Kip

H16

TheMightyHobie18

Do not forget to look at the sails, as it can be quite costly to replace sails. Look for excessive wear particularly on the corners of the sails. Most sails I have seen on older boats are stretched out and so will be good for recreational sailing and racing. Sails are your power and a good set will make all the difference in the world. In addition, parts can be quite costly so make sure they work well.

Thanks for all the great information, we are going out on the weekend to have a look at a couple of 16s

Thanking You All

Petro