On labor day weekend of this year, I bought an old 1979 Hobie 16. The boat was, overall, in relatively good condition, but like any 30 year old piece boat, it has issues. I've set about doing some refurbishing work over the winter, and will chronicle it here.
Overall, the boat was in fair condition. The hulls were in pretty good shape. There were, naturally, many dings and scratches. The bottom of the hulls were showing through the gel coat, but were not worn to the fiberglass. There was a decent sized soft spot forward of the trampoline on the starboard hull. The hulls were baby-blue, and heavily oxidized.
Standing rigging was in good shape. The mast (full aluminum) is scratched, and has a small dent, but is otherwise in excellent shape.
Sails look like the originals. No tears, though one batten sleeve is looking a little frayed. One number decal is peeling off. I can't comment on the stiffness of the sails, but I'm not racing it (yet.)
The tiller and rudders were in decent shape, though a bit faded and ugly. There was no hiking stick. There was also no cam cleat for the main traveler. It just was completely missing.
Trampoline is in decent shape. (Faded blue vinyl.) Hiking straps were rotten.
When I first tried to raise the mast, I notice that the mast step link was warped and bent. I managed to step the mast anyway and get the pin out, but getting back in was a challenge.
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