Hi,

I have a 10 year old hobie 16 and this winter I noticed little cracks in the forebeam, at lower site in the middle just where the pile fits in. Is this a common problem? Should I be worried? Has it ever happened a forebeam of hobie 16 to break? What to do?

Regards Willem Marsman

In 1988 a friend of mine had a Hobie 16. His fron X-bar also had small cracks in it near the dolphin striker. In 2000 during a race, the front x-bar folded during a race going to the weather mark. No one was injured and he found a new x-bar for $150.

For $150-300, I think it is worth your time to buy a new one when compared to what could happen.

I guy who posts under the name "Wrinkledpants" losted his Hobie during a storm on Park Point in Duluth. Check the post sometime in August? He was talking about selling the good parts, if you can't find what you are looking for locally.

I'm unfortunatly located in The Netherlands. Will try to find something over here.

Hi,
that problem is probably caused by too much/ less power on the dolphin striker. Sailing in more waves might have caused the acutal cracks. For safety reasons immediately replace the beam. You may ask for used parts under www.sportmohr.de That is the German dealer who may send you some parts.
We had those problems with a couple of boats in the late 80s, most of them had changed the dolphin striker tension.

Have fun, hand deeper and sail faster!

Fritz, a German living in Virginia Beach, USA
HC 16 and
HC TIGER