Based on my first thread regarding boats I am considering, this H18 came for sale but is a 6 hr drive to look at it. No wing seats which if I buy a H18 I would want them, trailer frame looks rusted but allegedly has new tires and wheel bearings.

Is the hull color a faded bright yellow, or faded mustard yellow? And the white / cream colored tramp being "original", what is the likelihood of falling thru it first time my 240 lbs lands on it?


Seller claims boat is "all original" and in great shape, which to be honest sounds like an impossibility and load of B.$. Won't give me the hull number so I can determine what year it was built, and all in all evades my detailed questions................

SO, from this picture, do you see anything wrong with this boat, like maybe a bent / broken mast on the forward cradle? What would you pay for it as is? I am thinking total cost to acquire including gas and hotel shouldn't run more than $600 tops based on what vague info I have on it.

Any thoughts on this, or should I pass and wait for something better to come along?

click the image to see it bigger


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Thanks,
Marc
Tucson, Arizona
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I didn't hear you ask the owner to press down on decks with both hands (20-30 lbs) to check for hull softness. This is first thing I insist an owner to do. Pete

If you want wings then I would probably pass on it because I suspect getting them afterwards may get pretty expensive. Others can probably chime in on this. Pete

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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
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best bet since he is not forthcoming with details is to let us know what area the H18 is in and someone close by might be willing to look it over to save you a long trip. Wings usually go between $600 and $900 and are tough to ship.

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Pete Knapp
Schodack landing,NY
Goodall Viper,AHPC Viper,Nacra I20
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I've asked about checking for soft spots, delaminations, cracks in hulls, mast and beams, rudder and board conditions, rigging, sail condition and number, everything there is to ask about and all I get is................ boat is original and in great shape.

The mast looking busted in that pic has me most concerned more than anything right now. Am I seeing things or is there actually a sharp crease in the mast on forward cradle which the diamond wires look to be pulling against?

This boat is in the North San Diego area, if anyone wants to verify its condition I will send the location and owner contact info.

Yeah the wings might be a deal breaker on this unless he has them. I have asked about them and all I get is " all gear included and all original"........................ which tells me this guy probably doesn't know squat about this boat.

pbegle

I didn't hear you ask the owner to press down on decks with both hands (20-30 lbs) to check for hull softness. This is first thing I insist an owner to do. Pete

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Thanks,
Marc
Tucson, Arizona
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this H18 came for sale but is a 6 hr drive to look at it

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Won't give me the hull number so I can determine what year it was built, and all in all evades my detailed questions................

I would not invest in 6h of driving if the seller is uncooperative. Ask for more detailed pictures, including the sail. The boat looks older, perhaps from early 80's.

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Jack B
Hobie 17
BC, Canada
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Hi there.
I am located in mid Orange County, so could get to N San Diego County without too much work.
either PM me here or call my cell at five six two, three two eight, four one one two
I know my signature states Delaware bay, but we are now bi-coastal, and I would be happy to check the boat out as long as the owner is a bit flexible on timing to show it.
I also will be shooting over to Phoenix for Thanksgiving with a tow vehicle if that can be of help
Best
Harry Ward

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Supercat 15
Windrider 17
Several Sunfish and Sunfish clones
Ratboat built from Zuma and Sunfish parts
Shallow water sailor in the Delaware Bay
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I may know of a mast here in N CA.. I also have a 18 with wings that I might part with.. Email is hal. (Last name in my ID here) at gmail.. Or leave a note on this thread.. H

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Hal Liske
Livermore CA
H 16 (6+ 1.. Friends) H 3.2 N 5.2 (2) H 17 (2) H-18
Nacra 5.8 (son's) H 20 (Friends)
It's a Sickness

I Need a A Cat Please
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renegade

trailer frame looks rusted but allegedly has new tires and wheel bearings.

Probably a low-end plain steel painted trailer instead of galvanized, but could be ok.

renegade

Is the hull color a faded bright yellow, or faded mustard yellow? And the white / cream colored tramp being "original", what is the likelihood of falling thru it first time my 240 lbs lands on it?

If the hulls are "original" and not repaired, then the yellow can really pop with some elbow grease or chemicals (Poli Glow).



Yes, you are very likely to fall through that tramp the first time you "bounce" on it, replace it.
http://stores.tampacatama…et-Trampoline/Detail.bok

renegade

Won't give me the hull number so I can determine what year it was built, and all in all evades my detailed questions................

Huge black flag, six hours is a long and expensive drive on speculation. However if the price is cheap and the boat has all it's parts, daggerboards, rudder system, sails etc. then maybe take a chance.

renegade

SO, from this picture, do you see anything wrong with this boat, like maybe a bent / broken mast on the forward cradle? What would you pay for it as is? I am thinking total cost to acquire including gas and hotel shouldn't run more than $600 tops based on what vague info I have on it.

The picture isn't good, but I don't think the picture shows a bent mast, I think what you are seeing is the white main halyard angling across the mast. At $600 I'd grab it no matter what year it is as long as the hulls don't have serious damage.

If he doesn't have complete paperwork, title, current registration he probably can't sell it in California so you've got that advantage.

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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Based on the hull color and graphics, this boat is an early '80's vintage, roughly 1982 to 1984. So you're looking at a 30 year old boat. The resolution on the picture is really poor, so it's hard to get a good grasp on the condition other than it is clearly quite faded so it's sat out in the sun for a while. The tramp likely started out yellow and has faded to a "cream" color as is quite common. For a 30 year old, sun fried tramp, I'd say it's very likely that you will go through it. The hulls don't appear to have the upgraded crossbar anchor plates. Normally, I would ask the owner to take pics under the hull flange where the crossbars bolt up to see if there are any cracks as this is a common failure location. If it's cracked, probably better to just walk away. Either way, you should definitely add these. The pictures don't show the rudder system. Hopefully that means that they were stored out of the sun and doesn't mean that they were lost. Hard to tell if the mast is bent, I agree with the prior response that likely what you are seeing is the main halyard being routed over the front mast stand. But, I would ask the owner outright to give you details regarding condition, damage, and completeness of the boat. If they can't give you reasonably satisfying answers, then don't make the trip. Not worth it IMO.
Keep in mind that just from the description and issues visible in the pic, you would be looking at replacing the tramp ($450), upgraded crossbar anchor plates ($80), standing rigging ($250, if it's 30 years old, definitely replace), so about $800 just to get the thing safely on the water plus your $600 to go pick it up and you're looking at almost $1500 in costs before you even buy the boat. Not saying don't do it, but I would want to be darn certain what I'm in for before making the trip.

sm

I'd ask for more pictures ( at least half a dozen ) but the mast looks straight, the trailer has a rear mast support and the hulls look good - no waved sides, obvious repairs, no gouges. The tires are inflated good and theres padding on the straps that hold the boat to the trailer. Signs that the owner cared for it some. I've seen faded hulls like that buffed out to a killer shine. If' its got a comp tip mast, solid hulls, decent sails and everything is included to sail, i'd say go for it! A good boat is worth the drive.
Tim

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Tim Grover
1996 Hobie Miracle 20
Two Hobie 14's
1983 G-Cat Restored
Memphis TN / North Mississippi
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Here is my email conversation with this seller so far............................. don't know if I will bother calling him or not. It is clear I am not going to get any answers to my questions or better pics. I might take up the offer for someone to go look at it for me though.


Oldest to newest:
Me:

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> Hi there, are you still trying to sell a Hobie 18? Can you tell me what year boat it is? Are there any soft spots and delaminated areas on the hulls? Does it have Main and Jib sails and are they original cut or more modern cut? What color are the sails? Has the rigging ever been replaced? How about the condition of the Trampoline? Does this Hobie 18 have the Wing seats? Are the rudders in good shape or do they have nicks and gouges on the edges?
>
> Is the trailer highway worthy or does it need wheel bearings and work on lights etc?
>
> I am looking for another boat and this might be something I am willing to drive 300 miles to look at / buy.
>
> Thanks,
> Marc

Him:

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Hi ever thing is great shape trailer has new bearings tires my # 760-294-xxxx thaxs Eddie

Me:

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I didn't see the dagger boards, rudders and tiller in the pics, you do have them right?

When was last time you sailed the boat and has it been mostly ocean or lakes?

Do you have any other pictures you can send, Long drive for me to come look at it. Would like to know that if i make the drive I will actually want to take the boat with me.

Also, Will be taking it to Arizona, so how does that Cali ownership transfer work? Do you have a title for the boat or something like that?

I might call you tomorrow, when is best time to call? I work 12 hour shifts and have wed- sat off this week.

Thanks,
Marc

Him:

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Hi Marc all gear sails great shape trailer ready new tires/bearings paper work good call any time thaxs Eddie

Me:

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Eddie,

Can you take some more pictures of the Hobie 18 and sails please? From the pic on Craigslist, it looks like the mast is bent or creased at the trailer forward mast support. It could be an optical illusion but I need to make sure before I spend money on gas to drive out there to look at the boat.

Also, How long have you owned it, and when was the last time it was sailed?

I will try to find time to call you this weekend about it but would like to see more pictures before I call you.

Thanks
Marc

Him:

Quote

She's in all great shape sails redders center brds hull

fxloop

I'd ask for more pictures ( at least half a dozen ) but the mast looks straight, the trailer has a rear mast support and the hulls look good - no waved sides, obvious repairs, no gouges. The tires are inflated good and theres padding on the straps that hold the boat to the trailer. Signs that the owner cared for it some. I've seen faded hulls like that buffed out to a killer shine. If' its got a comp tip mast, solid hulls, decent sails and everything is included to sail, i'd say go for it! A good boat is worth the drive.
Tim

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Thanks,
Marc
Tucson, Arizona
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You should call him. Some people hate email. He gave you his number so he is willing to talk. Pete

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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
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