I've been looking at the classifieds lately, and have realized that I could have bought a boat with much newer hulls and then picked up some used sails and a tramp, all for roughly what I have invested in my boat.

I paid $650 for my 79 H16. Can't find any soft spots in the Hulls are good for the age and the sails are pristine, however, older sails with reef points. The boat looks like it spent a lot of time in storage. There aren't any fleets within 2 hours of home, so I'm not too concerned about being competitive. There there are 3 H16's that I frequently see on my normal boating lake, so starting an informal fleet would be doable.

I'm usually at rowing practice when I see them, so the crew would be a little angry if I were to pull up to a hobie.

Here she is.
http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/Tri_X_Troll/Boat/

On the other hand, I can sail this beast until the hulls get soft, and then plan on picking up a pair of newer hulls for a couple hundred.

Also, that big chip in the gelcoat. Does anyone have any suggestions for repairing it? It's solid, so I think filling it with some of that marine grade bondo that I saw at the marina should work.

No. You're just having a case of buyer's remorse.

Are you happy with the boat? Of course you are! Stop looking at other ads and beating yourself up. Enjoy your new boat! Go sailing!

$650? Sounds like a deal, mate. Boat looks pretty good and you got a solid-section mast and the optional cooler rack! I'd check the rust on the trailer (looks like mostly surface) very carefully, especially around the springs (looks a little worse), axle and hubs.

For the repair, you can buy gelcoat in a tube ready to go - just in white, though I think. That would be where I'd start. There are some experts on this board, however, that can advise you far better. I don't think the Bondo is a good idea.

Happy sailing, bud - put up some pics of your sails when you can.

No, you've got yourself a 650 Dollar H16 on a trailer. Reef points aswell so you can go sailing alone in higher winds. Go sail the tits off it, fix the chipped celcoat get a feel for cats and figure out what you want from your next boat. Sell this one for about the same amount you've bought it for and live happily ever after.

Nothing wrong with a boat that has been well maintained.

If you take good care of her the hulls may never go soft. Store your boat with the bows as far off the ground as possible. There's lots of rocker in the hulls and keeping the condensation draining out prevents soft spots. A six foot step ladder or 2x4 tripod should do the trick. If you're storing indoors just make sure you drain well before storing (most boats take on a bit of water during a sailing session).

Keep the comp-tip (fiberglass) upper section of the mast covered. UV will degrade over time.

The problem is you're comparing the classifieds,<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> with the boat in your driveway.<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
You're comparing what's in your hand, with what's in your mind.
All those classified adds describe the perfect boat at a steal of a price. We all know it's almost never as good as the seller says.
You could have easily paid more for the boat you've got now. It looks great and will clean up even better.
Like someone already said, sail the piss out of it and sell it later for just what you've got into it.
You may outgrow the boat, or get more serious about the sport and what to upgrade or try a different model.
Or not.

Might I also suggest that you also look for guidance on the Hobie Forum. There is a group forum there specifically for the H16. http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewforum.php?f=14&sid=1ea7c64f8708233996c398dc37cdbb4e

I don't think he has a comp-tip. Tri? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Check the photos again, sure looks like a comp-tip to me. Look closely in the first two photos posted. In first one you can see the plastic track, in the second you can see the seam above the hounds.

Recommend Formula 27 to patch the boo-boo, it's easy to work with and cheap.

It does have the comp tip mast. It appears to be a compilation of several boats.

I suppose it's buyers remorse. I made the drastic change from jeep fanatic, to sailing fanatic overnight. I've sailed sunfish and lasers since childhood and woke up one morning and decided that I wanted to unload my jeep and get a boat big enough to do something stupid with. About 24 hours later I had added an H16 to my sunfish and pile of "laser rigged force 5 remnants".

One of these days I will get some pics of the sails. They are sitting in my parents' basement for the winter, and the boats in their back yard.

Well then, welcome to Cat-World! Or the "Dark Side" as it is called on some boards...

You've got a great boat, at what sounds to be a great price! The Hobie-16 is a boat that you can take as far as you want to go in the sport - stepping-stone learning boat, to high-level one-design racing.

Jump in with both feet - spend the Winter going through your gear, familiarize yourself with it and fix up what needs it. Even though you've got a solid sailing base, get yourself a copy of Rick's book "Catamaran Sailing for the 90's", and maybe order a bunch of his videos as well, spend the cold months with drink in hand watching, reading, and dreaming of hitting the water as soon as can in the Spring. Hit as many of the forums as possible as well. This is a great place to start. There are also tuning guides available that will help you get the most from the boat from the start.

As for the buyers remorse - once you get sailing you'll realize that used cats like this, at this price, represent about the best bang for the buck you will ever find for performance sailing! It was a good find, and you're going to have a blast!

My first cat was a $500 ratted out Hobie-14 that I refurbed and sailed for many years. That gave way to a ratted out $1500 Hobie-18 that I refurbed and sailed and raced for many years (ultimately added a spin to learn more). You're in for a great ride, enjoy it!