hi,

I have hobie 16 with sailnumber 95215. Does anyone know from which year this sailnumber is?

I would guess sometime in the late 1980s. A boat that new should have the serial number visable. Here's a link from the Hobie page that explains how to tell the age of the boat from your serial number.
http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=86

Good luck,
Jack

I would place it in the early '90's. Sails can be misleading on the age of the boat, since they are easily replaced.

The hull number is the true determinant.

Any suggestions on replacement of the sail numbers on the hobie sails? The numbers are basically gone on my sail. The only thing that you can see is the dark remnance of where they used to be. Looked into buying new ones, but at $7 a pop ($70 total), thought that it was a little 2 pricey. Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks

Try indellable magic marker
or kid's smelly marker.

I've replaced the letters on one of my sails with adhesive backed numbers from Sailrite. http://www.sailrite.com/
I think that they were under $3.00 each and they worked great.

Jack

Well, $70 isn't bad. On Pentex sails a guy can use 3M vinyl numbers from an design graphics place. It will run in the same price range to have them done. I think it ran me $55 to make new hull logos and registration numbers.

The sad thing about using non-Hobie replacement numbers, you are no longer class legal. I'm sure most folks wouldn't bring that up at a friendly regatta, but an over-competitive 2nd place finisher just might protest your well earned 1st place finish.

As far as I know, there is no class legal number. You can use Duct Tape if you have to.

Matt, are you officially saying it is OK to use non-Hobie parts in a Hobie class regatta?

The sail numbers in the parts catalog have Hobie part numbers.

No, he's saying that there's no requirement that sail numbers be "Hobie" sail numbers. Just because something has a Hobie part number, doesn't make is it the only alternative for racing.

What about stock tiller extensions vs. Hot Sticks? Rivets? Bolts? Screws? Shackles? Pins? Keeper rings?

All of these have Hobie part numbers, but you don't have to buy them from Hobie to have your boat still be class legal.

Man, you take this stuff way too seriously.

Not sure why Jeff is so concerned.I never saw him show up for a hobie regatta that was on his home lake(Big Marine).So I think he must just be joking

Where you get replacement wires, bolts, nuts, shackles, lines, hiking sticks, dog bones and other non-proprietary parts for a Hobie Cat does not necessarily conflict with the rules. Review the rules to be sure if you have a question: Hobie Class Rules (pdf)

Many of the rules have been in place since Hobie Cat created the class and was running the Class Association with a full time staff. The Hobie Cat Company (USA) no longer controls the class or the rules. Of course we maintain a vote on the rules comittee as does Hobie Cat France.

Now I'm REALLY upset! The guy at the sailboat shop said I HAVE to use Hobie Duct Tape to be class legal. At $69.95 a roll, I was reduced to eating Raman noodles. Now, I find out I could have gotten by for $3.49 at Ace Hardware.

Please don't tell me that I didn't need to buy the Hobie Drain Plug O-rings for $29.95/each.

Hey Jeff,
I've got some "hobie" coke bottle tops for ya mast base going cheap,interested???

Okay, here's one for ya then: My sail numbers (3403) are absolutely falling off. Is it worthwhile to try and use 3M Super 77 spray glue to reattach them, or should I just buy new numbers? I guess they're not that expensive but I'm hoping for the exact size and font, you know.

Thanks

Jim

P.S. - the sail is also really dirty there as some squirrels apparently camped out in the sail box over the winter. I've washed it and hopefully much of that yuk is gone.

P.P.S. - Sail 3403 / Hull 3404... what year? 70? 71? 72? Dunno.

My numbers looked like that YEARS ago. I tried rubber cement, but that just slightly delayed the inevitable. My numbers still kept coming off. When four of my five number had come off, for 2 years I had the sail number "1". I don't think anyone believed I owned the very first Hobie.

When the sun is right, you can still see my numbers in glue residue. I did price out new numbers a few years back, but at $8.00 a pop, I figured 10 numbers at $80.00, plus tax; -that could buy a lot of beer.

I'm not sure of the best process to put on new numbers, so they don't fall off right away. I would guess, it would be wise to use a rag dampened with mineral spirits, to clean the glue residue, then dry, before applying the new numbers. -Would that damage the dacron's coating? Even if it did, sails that old probably have the coating damaged from wear.

One thing I've wondered about: Is it possible to dye the numbers on the sail? Black Magic Marker???

Maybe it's best to play taps to your numbers, and move on in life as a numberless wanderer.

Dunno. Just the other day I used 3M Super77 spray glue to re-attach the numbers. They seemed to stick pretty agressively, but I won't know for sure until next time I head out. This past Saturday there was no wind, and it rained all day Sunday. So... we'll have to wait and see.

Jim

After sailing today in pretty decent winds, the Super77 held the numbers on great! There are just a few places where the numbers are a little floppy, and that's where I kinda skimped on the glue. Dunno how long it'll last, but a can of that stuff is less than the cost of one new number, so I highly recommend it!

Edit: In case anyone is wondering just what I did, here was the procedure:

1) Peel number all the way off.
2) Lay out some paper towels. Put number upside-down on them, straighten as best you can, and put on a thick coat of Super77.
3) Wait 30-45 seconds.
4) Apply thin coat of Super77, and immediately apply number to sail.
5) Repeat with all crappy-looking numbers.
6) ???
7) Profit.

This weekend we sailed in 25 kt. winds on a bay off the Gulf of Mexico and the numbers are hangin' on like a champ! I recommend you try my method.