HELP! Foam Filled Hobie 16 hulls??

I'd pass, especially given the wavy hulls...

Not sure your location, but around here $1100-$1500 buys you a pretty decent H16 to get on the water so I'd keep up the search. The Hobie 16 is a super well built, durable boat, there shouldn't be any need to fill it with foam, if the hulls are starting to go there is little that will save them

PASS , PASS , PASS

I'd run, not walk, RUN, away from that one. Sounds like a mess to me. Decent boats will be popping up on ebay and craigslist now that it's getting warmer. Good luck in your search.

bayoucat wrote: smooth. Everything about this Hobie seems good except for the foam. I'm just not sure what to make about foam filled hulls. I'm just worried if this gentleman's desire to take care of this Hobie ended up being more harmful. I'm going to look at it tomorrow. What should I look for?

Bayoucat, first, welcome to The beach cats.com and welcome to cat sailing.

It's rare here to have instant consensus on the question of "should I buy this boat", but you have it on this one.

NO

I can't think of many things worse you could do to a Hobie 16 than fill the bulls with foam. Maybe filling the mast with foam would be worse but masts are cheaper than two bills.

Where are you located? And almost as important where is this foam/boat? The owner may figure out that he should keep that information to himself if he wants to unload the boat.

As others have said, RUN RUN RUN. I guarantee if the hulls are filled wih foam it added more than 10 Lbs. Sounds like a boat that is destined for the dumpster.

Save your money, educate yourself a little more, and get a decent boat. Not this one.

sm

no, no, no,

With a little effort really good boats can be regularly found for 1,000 coast to coast.

no one has mentioned but foam almost always gets water logged (adding dozens and dozens of pounds)

never the correct solution

Well gents I appreciate the replies and the quick answer. I walked away from the deal. Not worth it. Found another though so I'll give him a call and see how that turns out. Newly gel coated he says. Says it needs new lines which I assume means main and jib sheet.

Sorry for the late response. Work and the end of the semester leave for little free time.

Just spoke to this gentleman and he said that it was gel coated due to blisters. I'm not entirely sure if that is something to be worried about or not. Any advice is appreciate. And by lines he was talking about lines to hoist the sail. I would assume those are not too expensive.

https://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/6092765555.html

Here is said boat

bayoucat wrote: https://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/6092765555.html

Here is said boat

Looks like shrouds are attached to the side rail not the hull.
Looks like grommets in the tramp.
Looks like a 14 jib, not a 16 jib. although it does have Full battens.
Jib traveler tracks are on the main beam like a 16.

That may be a 14, not a 16.

Does not look like fresh GelCoat. The boat may have been moored thus blisters in the GelCoat.

Edited by nacra55 on Apr 20, 2017 - 04:11 PM.

nacra55 wrote: [quote=bayoucat] https://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/6092765555.html

Here is said boat

That's a 14, not a 16.

How can you tell?

bayoucat wrote: [quote=nacra55][quote=bayoucat] https://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/6092765555.html

Here is said boat

That's a 14, not a 16.

How can you tell?

Dolphin striker is not a 16. Looks like a 14 dolphin striker.

All hard to tell from photos.

nacra55 wrote: [quote=bayoucat][quote=nacra55][quote=bayoucat] https://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/6092765555.html

Here is said boat

That's a 14, not a 16.

How can you tell?

Dolphin striker is not a 16. Looks like a 14 dolphin striker.

All hard to tell from photos.

I say 14: the shrouds are a giveaway - 16 shrouds attach to the hull. Also sails - the 16 sails (jib and main) have windows in them.

regardless of the size ... a "new" gel-coat job to cover the blisters is problematic
it means moisture got into the hulls and is lifting the glass off the foam - causing blisters.

fairly common in hobies, and cats in general but never a good sign
doesn't mean the boat is dead - but wouldn't be my first choice

Bayoucat,

Don't get discouraged, they say you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince(s).

For the price you are looking you can find a good boat.

Couple of things looking at this latest one. The trailer has no storage box or tube. They usually do and it's something you will want. The sails look like aftermarket sails rather than Hobie branded sails. "Real" Hobie sails will have a Hobie logo patch near the bottom. Anyone can put the hobie "flying H" decal on, so don't go by that.

Aftermarket sails aren't automatically bad, just that factory sails are very good and long lasting.

What MN3 said. In general you want to avoid Hobie 16's that have been "re-gelcoated" or painted. The boats are made of fiberglass sandwich (foam core) with a very heavy layer of gelcoat on the exterior from the factory.

Also avoid any boat that the owner tells you spent substantial time at a mooring. The boats weren't built for that and it's about the only way Hobie's develop blisters.

I like the tips on telling a Hobie 14 from a Hobie 16 by the pictures.

DamonLinkous wrote: Bayoucat,

Don't get discouraged, they say you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince(s).

For the price you are looking you can find a good boat.

100% agree here - the great thing is that there are a ton of Hobie 16s about so you will find a great one soon enough.

One more thing to look for on hulls apart from waviness and blisters: Hobie's are awesome beach cats - you can sail them right onto the sand with two people on the wire (don't ask), but therein lies an issue: have a look at the bottom of the hulls to check keel wear. People drag them about on the shore and the keels get warn away. It's easy enough to repair, but again: why bother when there are so many to choose from? You can easily wear the keel to the point that the hulls will split down the length (again - don't ask) and that gets a bit sinky (don't... nevermind.)

I agree with previous posts as well. $1500 can buy an old boat that is in perfect working order with updated lines, etc.

In the end.. Why a Hobie? There's lots of other catamarans there.
More modern and more suitable.

A

See I thought the windowless sails were a bit strange but I didn't think too much of it mainly because I'm ignorant on the subject. Appreciate the support and advice. Good knowledge not just for cats but boats in general. Time to continue looking haha

DamonLinkous wrote: Bayoucat,

Don't get discouraged, they say you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince(s).

For the price you are looking you can find a good boat.

If there is anything I've learned from my father about buying boats it is that patience pays. I'm just looking to get one before I ship in May to use when I get back.

catmodding wrote: In the end.. Why a Hobie? There's lots of other catamarans there.
More modern and more suitable.

A

I just haven't really looked at others which raises a question. Most of my sailing will be on the Mississippi Gulf Coast where it tends to get rough when its windy. I know Hobie's have a tendency to pitch pole. How do prindle's fair in rough water? A quick search reveals good priced prindles for sale. Also, would an 18(any make) be a bit too much to solo for a beginner. I know I'd have to get a righting bag or something of that kind to help when it capsizes.

I guess I'll make this my buying advice thread from here on out since thats what it has turned in to haha

bayoucat wrote: Most of my sailing will be on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Where are you located? There are several of us on here from Mississippi, some in Jackson, some on the coast even some up near Memphis.

Not all Hobie sails have windows, especially the sails from the 70's.

Rough weather, beginner, solo.. I woud go for 18 ft without daggerboards..
Prindle 18 (classic) Dart 18, Prindle 18-2 (maybe) .
Nacra sailors, help us out here.

A

Seriously? NACRA 5.7 or 570. No centerboard, stable, single handed sailing and you can submerge the bow without a pitchpole, and so much faster than a Hobie. Prindle 16 can out-sail most Hobie 16 boats easily, and is very resistant to pitch-pole with a lot of front-end flotation, but if you submerge that broad top-deck it's good-bye. The Prindle 18 and 19 are faster on par with NACRA 5.7 and 5.8. All are relatively inexpensive if you can find them.

bayoucat wrote: [quote=nacra55][quote=bayoucat] https://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/6092765555.html

Here is said boat

That's a 14, not a 16.

How can you tell?

That boat is a Hobie 14, 100%. Dolphin striker, shroud locations, hull shape, there is no question. It is definitely not a 16.

sm

$1500 can buy an old boat that is in perfect working order with updated lines, etc.

perfect working order ... well ...
in my experience - 1500 will get you a basic cat, but i would not expect anything to be in "new like" state.
sails will be well used (maybe some repairs), same for the rudders and hulls

I would not expect a sail tube, nor beach wheels in that price range (can still happen but you'd be very fortunate)

I wouldn't expect updated lines.. i would expect well used lines (probably near end of life)

Edited by MN3 on Apr 21, 2017 - 08:50 AM.

other boats to consider
as mentioned - boomless can save you or crew some headaches,
boardless is easier in shallow areas- this list would include:

prindle 16 (has boom - no boards)
gcat 5.0 or 5.7 (usually has boom, not allways, no boards)
mystere 5.0 (hard to find, hard to get parts but amazing boat: boards - no boom)

I would include a dart but you should realize they are a dog in light air (built for north sea sailing)
I am on the fence about a supercat great boat but ridiculously heavy mast, very wet ride and can be a challenge to right

for 18' boats; Sure not THAT much more of a boat but usually means more control lines and more skills needed to sail WELL

the smaller / simpler cats will still sail - even when you have everything set wrong
the bigger / more complex boat will fight you (not move much) unless you have (most of) the controls set correctly

nacra55 wrote: [quote=bayoucat]Most of my sailing will be on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Where are you located? There are several of us on here from Mississippi, some in Jackson, some on the coast even some up near Memphis.

My camp is in Bay St. Louis so I'll be sailing the Gulf. I'd like to go sail to cat island on a weather permitting day. I'm currently in school at LSU.

To address the rest of you gents since ya'll are talking about similar points:
Saw a 5.7 for sail on here but never heard back from the gentleman. Might already be gone. I don't think I want an H16 anymore. Seems other cats would be better suited for where I'll be sailing and what I wanna do. Found a 5.2 in Texas but the only problem is the seller is making it hard to get info. Why should I jump thru hoops to give you my money bro? Anyway, I think a 5.7, P16 or P18 would be best suited for me. Really would love a Nacra but they're usually a bit more expensive and harder to find. They look pretty sleek

You guys are awesome though. Have helped me a ton so far.

There is an Nacra 18 square up sale in the classifieds but that seems to be a bit too much for me at first glance. Thoughts? This would be something I sail day after day too if that makes a difference (in regards to transportation and set up/rigging)