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First Person Account: The Last Hobie 18 from Hobie Cat.
Damons Note: Recently a Hobie 18 was listed in our classified ads which claimed to be the "last Hobie 18 to ever leave the Hobie factory". I was intrigued by this claim and contacted the seller to find out how he ended up with such a special catamaran. Here is his story.
In the fall of 2004, I was looking for a new Hobie 14 Turbo. I did not know that Hobie Cat USA had discontinued selling the 14 in the states here some years ago. When I called Hobie Cat to inquire about the 14, I not only learned that the 14 had been discontinued, but was also told that Hobie had just announced the discontinuance of the 18 as well.
Hobie Cat told me that they had only three 18's left to sell and that following the announcement to discontinue the 18, the remaining 18's in inventory were being purchased rapidly. I immediately called Fast Lane Sails in San Diego and placed an order for an 18.
By the time Ron Lane, of Fast Lane Sailing, contacted Hobie to pick up my 18, it was the last remaining Hobie 18 to leave the factory. I picked it up, along with custom color Hobie Cat sails, in November of 2004.
The only reason that I am selling the boat is because very soon after picking up the 18, Hobie USA contacted me and told me that they could order a brand new 14 Turbo for me from Hobie Cat Europe. With that, I decided to sell the 18 and I purchased a new 14 Turbo.
The 18 is an absolutely beautiful boat, has been garaged since it's purchase, and has only been sailed for two days.
Hope this helps,
John
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