I have a 78 Hobie 16 that could use some replacement parts and some repair. Can anyone reccomend a dealer, parts dealer, or repair service in the Los Angeles area that can take a look at our rig and tell what we need to get it up to speed. Thanks!

There are no dealers in the Los Angeles or Orange county areas...17 million people. No dealers. Weird.

Murrays Marine, Sailboats of Bakerfield are the better sources for parts in SO CAL.

Hey AHAB,

Look at the top of the page, click the link for "Online Store" find what you want, you don't have to leave your house.

Clayton

His problem is common all over the country because there are so few dealers now where you can actually take your boat and have them look at it and help you get it rigged right.

It is very sad. Dealers used to be major catalysts in getting fleets going and teaching people how to sail. Only a few left any more who really care about beach cats. Just not enough money in it, I guess. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Sailboats of Bakersfield is a Hobie Dealer - according to the dealer finder on Hobie Cat's web site.

Isn't Bakersfield three hours north of Los Angeles in the Central Valley and over the Grapevine?

The San Diego dealer might be closer and the air is cleaner.

I'm coming through LA in a couple of weeks and would be happy to stop by and take a look. There are a few guys in Long Beach that probably wouldn't mind helping you out as well. Send me a personal email and we'll hook something up. I always carry parts in the Surf City truck and make a trip to Hobie every month or so and do many "House Calls" all over CA.
Jeremy
www.surfcitycatamarans.com

Jeremy also works as the Road Ranger on Highway 17 over the Santa Cruz mountains. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the feedback everyone ... yeah it IS crazy that there are no beachcat dealers in the LA area ... bakersfield is about an hour and a half away which isn't too far but still a little inconveniant. We checked out this place in North Hollywood called The Catamaran Store. There was an older fella there who seemed slightly anti-Hobie and was all about the Prindle. He had two Prindles there in his store and kept showing us the differences and "improvements" on the Prindle vs. the Hobie. He said he would help us out but I'd feel more comfortable with someone who actually dealt with and would be more enthusiastic about Hobie-cats. I did come across another place on-line called Action Watersports in Marina Del Rey .. says they carry a large stock of used parts for Hobie... anyone know about it? I am interested in your offer, Jeremy, and I will be emailing you tomorrrow.

I'm gonna be in Irvine the week of Dec 4th. Is it warm enough to sail? :P

Maugan:

It is always sailing weather here. Tell me your size and I will see if there is anything in my gear that fits, in case it chills off. Right now it is very warm and nice but that is a month away.

If you would like to sail I could be talked into shoving my boat into the water.

Later,
Dan

Action in Marina Del Rey used to be a Hobie Cat dealer some years ago... Actually, Action is a Hobie Kayak dealer still. I think we lost most of the dealers in lean times (late 80's early 90's). Dealers are now scrambling to pick up Hobie again as our range of products is selling very well. Back when they were a dealer we were down to the 16, 17, 18, 20 and just getting into the Wave. Times have certainly changed. Time for a quality dealer again in LA. Just have to get the right one. Meanwhile we do have Fast Lane in San Diego and Sailboats of Bakersfield for sailboats. [ Yes slim, but as compared to Performance... who has just Fast Lane and still lists the old Sac dealership (Inland Hobie in Sacramento) as the next closest]... Kirk passed away last Spring, so that address is not valid. Performance needes to update their dealer finder. Hobie has about 5 sail dealers in California. We also have over 20 Hobie Kayak dealers in the state. Somebody could make a killing up there in LA!