Hi there--so, I've posted here before about my search for a bigger boat to replace my old, rotted out H16 and get my family back out on the water. Thought I had a Nacra lined up, but that didn't work out after a closer inspection (and the owner not wanting to negotiate on price). :(
I went and looked at a cheap Hobie 21se today...that's in rough shape, with some significant holes in one of the hulls where the wing-seat attaches.
Fiberglass I can fix--but the boat also had been rigged with a H18 mast and sails, after a mast failure many years before. The old sails/mast are long gone.
I don't want to sail a 21 with an 18 mast. What are the odds/chances of finding another 21 mast? They seem to be pretty darn rare, which is leading me to walk away, despite the good price and liking the idea of a 21.
Any wisdom?
Edited by thebeardedone on Jun 08, 2016 - 02:37 AM.
I read somewhere that the extrusion die for that mast was broken and never replaced. Same extrusion as one or two other Hobies, like the 18 and maybe the 20.
You'd think there has to be another extrusion that could be made to work, but I have never read about one. A friend of mine used to work for Sparcraft, which made masts and so forth. Maybe a call to a company like that would get you somewhere?
It sounds like you are trying to get on the water inexpensively, which I commend. Not only will you need the H21 spar, but the sails as well so you are getting into some $ there. You are not really losing much sail area with the 18 rig, you could add a square top main to squeeze in a little more power.
I would guess an 18sx rig would be about the same sail area as a H21, not sure if it would have any adverse performace issues
If you like the boat and you like the deal, do the repairs and sail it with the current rig, maybe you'll like it till something else comes along.
Definitely not the same extrusion as the 18 or 20. The Hobie 21 mast is a much larger cross-section than the mast used on either of those boats.
The only boat that used the same extrusion was the Hobie 21SC which was a shorter version of the standard 21 mast.
There may be a mast from another boat (another brand) that would work, but you're talking about a lot of searching and customizing to make it happen. Either way, I would definitely source a mast before buying that boat or you're going to end up with a useless platform. Sounds like a parts boat to me.
My budget is around 3k, this year. Main goal is a boat that can handle weight well (always sail with friends/family). Dream is still a Nacra 6, but also looking for a 5.8, maybe a H18, H21...or even a Getaway (compromised speed, yes, but would work well with kids for a few years).
I know the budget is limited, but in keeping my eye on the market the last few years, I've seen such deals come up. I just need to find one now that I have the $$ in hand! I don't care about appearance and can do some repairs, but after owning a rotting out '78 H16, I don't want something with delam cancer!
Willing to drive, so if anyone up to 6 hours from Baltimore knows of a boat I should check out...
A little off topic, but I started with a H16 then had a H21SE. I could solo sail the H21SE no problem. I got rid of it because initially I had it stored mast up on a floating dock. So all one would have to do is push the boat off and sail away. When I moved to another part of the state, I could store it on the beach mast up. The problem was moving an almost 700 lb boat on beach wheels is not an easy task even with 3 people. Also when you go to raise the mast everyone takes off running (literally, nobody wants to have anything to do with getting it up).
I now have a Prindle 19. I seriously wish I still had the H21SE.
There is one for sale in the classified sections here in Hyannis, MA. I think it would be worth looking into that, it may be a little out of your budget, but it would be worth the trip and the extra $$$ for a working model.
There is one for sale in the classified sections here in Hyannis, MA. I think it would be worth looking into that, it may be a little out of your budget, but it would be worth the trip and the extra $$$ for a working model.
Yes, I'm talking to him! There's a bit of damage and it's over 9 hours away, but definitely considering it.
Edited by thebeardedone on Jun 08, 2016 - 03:04 PM.
Willing to drive, so if anyone up to 6 hours from Baltimore knows of a boat I should check out...
Getting a boat inside your price range is always a good idea, there are always upgrades you want to do.
I've always sailed Hobie 18's with wings, often with a lot of weight and up to four adults in lots of conditions. It will be a lot easier to handle (and find) a Hobie 18 with wings than a Hobie 21.
The problem was moving an almost 700 lb boat on beach wheels is not an easy task even with 3 people. Also when you go to raise the mast everyone takes off running (literally, nobody wants to have anything to do with getting it up).
Very serious considerations to take to heart.
I have 2 mystere's. a 5.5 and a 6.0 with wings
the 6.0 is only 1' taller (mast) and just a little longer in the bows but is a LOT more work to get off the trailer, move on the wheels and to step the mast.
Call aquarius boats in Minnesota they may have a mast..
My 21 was blown over on the beach and broke at the compTip so I called around and found Aquarius boats had one from a 30ft cat and the mast was 40 ft I cut it down to 38ft and had a new set of sails made..
Talk about Fast? owe ya that boat was no joke..
so I learned if your boat has a compTip - when you hall down on the sail on the mast the sail will have a wrinkle right where the fiberglass compTip meets the aluminum mast,, So by getting rid of the stupid CompTip you will go faster by having a natural bow in the mast from top to bottom. Not just the top compTip folding down screwing up the shape of the sail.......