Hi, I'm looking to purchase my first cat. The boat I'm most interested in is a lightly used (fresh water only) 1998 Hobie 16. I received the attached pic from the seller and I'm wondering if you think I should be concerned about how low the boat is sitting in the water. Obviously, there are 4 people on board but two appear to be kids. Thanks in advance for your help.
You might want to ask him for another picture but it seems to me there are 3 people near the rear rail and there is obviously no wind. At least two are adults and the third is big for a child. I don't think it is too low for that weight. I can almost sink the stern of one hull when I go back to latch the rudder by myself.
Howard
I'd go with Howard's response but you should give the entire boat a good look over. Pull the drain plugs and tip the boat up to see if any water comes out. Examine the keels for excessive wear. Look for fiberglass showing through.
Check the decks for soft spots especially just in front of the crossbar.
After that check for general wear and tear on rigging and the sails.
What's the asking price?
i think the boat looks ok, i reccomend taking a peak at this here http:/
things to look for... one other things to check is when you push down on the bow of one hull, it should remain very rigid and not twist or flex, another thing i found helpful was checking the boat value on nada.com
if possible, try and get him to take you out, rig it, and sail with him, it can tell a ton about the owner and boat
hobies are great boats, i bought mine just last summer
The boat is okay. There is 350-400 lbs. of crew weight from the shrouds aft.
Looks like they are trying to sail backwards or, possibly, tack. 
Main traveller is to windward with the sheet slack, jib traveller is outboard, rudders are centered.
If you are new to cat sailing, recommend you invest in Rick White's book or videos.
Hello and thank you all for your valuable feedback... you've been very helpful. I intent to perform a thorough review of the entire boat, rigging and trailer. I've already ordered the assembly manual from Hobie and I will look into Rick White's publications. The current owner is asking $4600 for the boat and trailer. Any thoughts on the price?
If everything is in good shape (including the trailer) the asking price is probably reasonable. For a comparison I sold my '86 H16 on a junky trailer with new sails, new standing and running rigging, new platic rudders, a few nice upgrades, etc. for $2300. That was three years ago in Massachusettes.
What type of trailer? What type of rudders? Does it have the double trapeze setup(can't tell in the picture). What type of tiller? (Hotstick?).
With race rudders, double trapeze, hot stick, decent sails and steel trailer it is good price. Trailex then very good price. Without the above I would offer less.
Owner has trapeze wires (never been used). No hotstick tiller and has standard rudders. Aluminum trailer appears to be in great shape (see attached pic). Thanks.
The trailex trailer and boat box alone are worth about $1300. If the extras are nice and (as before) everything is in good shape, the price seems good. You should try to knock off a few hundred if you can. The worst that can happen is you pay asking price. Good luck to you.
Looks like a good deal. Trailex new is around $1600. The box new is like $400. Get a good set of rudders and your set.
The race rudders make a huge differance.