Hi, I have been offered the opportunity to purchase a Hobie 16 of unknown vintage (sail in the 12000's yellow and white panels) From a sail chart I imagine it will be a 70's model. My question is related to a problem with the port hull which has a pushed in appearance half way down the curve of the hull, starting just in front of the front pillar. This extends pretty much back to the rear pillar. From what I can see and feel the deck is quite sound as are the areas around all the pillars. However if I push on the hull side it flexes inward without too much pressure applied. Would it be better to steer clear of this particular hobie?...OR Is this a reasonably easy repair? Nick

Side of the boat pushing in....run away, I mgiht be wrong but it sounds like you have some very serious delam there. Did it sound like a bag of potatoe chips when you pressed in? If so keep running! Do you plan to race? How much are they asking?

I would suggest to the offeror of such an "opportunity" that you would be happy to haul away his 40 year old POS for a modest fee (he pays you).

Run away.

Thanks for the reply. the asking price was always too high for a boat I wouldn't feel safe travelling more than a couple of hundred metres from the beach with. Owner was asking $1100 down from $1500. I would have been fairly interested had the hull not had such an obvious problem as the rig seems fairly good...not seen rigged up though. As for racing- I had not considered this at present. My daughter is showing some interest in sailing and especially using the trapeze so I need to buy a bigger Catamaran as my windrush 14 just isn't quite big enough for the two of us. Plus I don't have any guarantee that my daughter will want to sail more than a few times before wanting to do something else...hence I am reluctant to buy a more expensive one. Of course, if she was interested enough to race I would need a more recent hobie 16. Nick

I just bought an 88 Hobie 16 for $650. Hulls, sails and Tramp were in great shape. I found it at a local marina collecting dust. Around my area there are older Hobies laying around all over if you keep your eyes open.

Just to get on the water with the 16 would be great. I mean you want to find one with good hulls and sails but other than that you are in good shape.

Also the 16 makes a great solo boat for when she can't go along with you.

I took the town tramp to my high school prom. I think he appreciated the hot meal.

He or she?