This is a summary of the questions and answers that have occurred thus far on this auction: Do you have any pictures of the bottom? Can you better describe the damage you mention? The boat is in the water, so there won't be any pictures of the bottom. The bottom was perfect when the boat was put in back in 2001. Hobie's typically don't blister like other hulls, except on the rudder and the keel. I know that it needs a bottom job because of the amount of time that has passed since its last one. The damage on the side of the boat is not bad. A picture of the damage has been added. The toe rail was bent up a little, but we straightened it back. The freeboard has a gouge in it, but it doesn't go all the way through, just the first layer of fiberglass and part of the inner foam material, but not through the inner fiberglass (you may know Hobie's have a foam core construction). To repair the fiberglass and retouch the paint couldn't cost much, it’s pretty cosmetic. If this repair was done and the bottom had fresh paint on it, I'd be asking $18K or more for the boat. Hi do you need a crane to step the mast? No, I have actually stepped it by myself before. There is a bridal and you use it in combination with the spinnaker pole and some blocks and winch the mast up. The bridle keeps the mast from moving too far from side to side. Will you be there to help? No, I have a friend that lives nearby and he has access to the boat. He also is an expert sailor and boat restorer. He was the helmsman on the boat when we raced it. He won’t take the boat down and load it for you, but he will be on hand to coach you on how to do everything. Plus, all of the documentation for the boat will be provided upon delivery. What is the condition of the trailer? Is the boat in or out of the water? Is there a recent survey? What is the "boot" that is missing? The trailer is in pretty good shape, it was bought new in 1994. New tires were put on about 7 years ago and they have very few miles on them. The trailer has been sitting for a while, but the tires seem to be holding up pretty well. The boat is in the water, it has never been surveyed. The boat is mechanically and structurally sound. The engine plug / boot is a fiberglass plug that fills the engine well, the motor rests on top of it when racing. If you're not racing, it doesn't matter. If you're racing, you would want to replace it. The Hobie33 website is a source of info for this and other parts Are there any blisters on the keel or soft spots on the hull? What kind of condition is the trailer in? Could it make a trip out to Oregon? It sounds like you have one good main but need a couple new head sails to race. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your boat. Would you allow a survey to be done prior to delivery? I don't know if there are any blisters on the keel or the rudder, the boat has been in the water for about 7 years now. It was perfect when we put it in. We have cleaned the hull, as recently as a year ago, while in the water. As you may know, Hobies don't generally develop blisters except on the keel and the rudder. There are no soft spots that I'm aware of. The trailer was purchased new in 1994-95 timeframe. New tires were put on a few years ago and they don't have many miles on them. The only exposure on the tires is that the trailer has been sitting for a number of years, but it has been in the shade. My friend saw the trailer a year ago and was impressed with how the tires are holding up. Would it make a trip to Oregon? I'd get a spare (we talked about this for years and frankly I can't remember if we ever got a spare!). The main is fantastic. It's a laser cut, single piece welded Kevlar/Mylar mix with little wear on it. Was a $5000.00 main! You could race with the head sails, but they would be the first thing I would start to replace. On a scale of 1-10, right now, I would rate the boat a 6 because of the need for a bottom job and the unknowns there (how many blisters on the keel, how bad is the rudder, etc.), because the boat hasn't been used much in the last 3 years, and because of it's age. As for how it stacks up against other Hobies we've seen across the country (probably seen 50 or so over the years), this boat has a great core. The deck is cleaner (less cracks and holes, etc.), the interior is nicer, and the boat is fast. As well, the trailer is a newer vintage than most. With a bottom job and a little TLC, this boat would bring $18-20K. No problem with the survey. When were the pictures taken, is the running rigging in good shape, where is the spin pole, does the trailer have brakes, is the boat difficult to ramp launch, how long has the boat been for sale? The pictures were taken last night. The boat hasn't been used in the last 3 years, so I'm sure there is some wear on the running rigging. I'm sure the standing rigging is fine. Spin pole is on the dock. Trailer has surge brakes. Extremely easy to ramp launch, any ramp, no problem. Boat has been for sale since this auction started last week. Just a few other questions about the boat. 1) What material is the racing main? 2) If the boat is currently in the water, how long has it been since the last haulout and bottom cleaning? 3) Is there a boat ramp close to where the boat is now located? 4) Is the trailer road worthy for a trip to Detroit? 5)Would you consider making a deal outside of this ebay add? 6)Is the hull the original gelcoat or has it ever been painted? 7) Which layout is the inside, I know some hobies have extra storage along the starboard main setee berth. 8)Does the boat still have the spin pole? 9)Does the running rigging come with the boat (i.e genoa sheets, spin sheets, tweakers, etc) 1) the racing main is a welded, laser cut (single piece) kevlar/mylar combination, we got a great deal on this sail because the sail rep raced with us and wanted to bring this hot sail when he did ........what we can't remember off the top of our heads is if it's a Sobstad or UK sail because this guy changed companies and we're a little fuzzy on when that transpired, but it was a $5000 sail we got for $2500. 2) The boat has been cleaned in the water, the last time was summer before this last one, so it's pretty furry right now 3)there is a boat ramp very close and easily accessible 4) I think the trailer is fine, the tires were new 7-8 years ago w/o too many miles on them, tread won't be the issue, more just age. They're in the shade, not getting any sun and my buddy looked at them a year ago and he felt like they were holding up very well. 5) I would consider a deal outside of eBay after this auction is over 6) the hull is original gelcoat, there is a spot on the front that was repaired/repainted before we got the boat and it shows up when the boat needs to be waxed (like now). The stripes were painted in the mid 90's. With compound and wax, the freeboard has always come back pretty nicely. 7)this boat has the salon seat on the port side, then a half wall, the head and sink are behind that half wall. On the starboard side, it's the fold out galley, the table top, followed by the open storage area with shelves. 8) Yes the spin pole is still with the boat, we don't leave home w/o it, even when cruising. 9) all of the running rigging, tweakers, blocks, etc. are in good shape and come with the boat. The canvas for the boat is in reasonably good shape, it's faded some, but no rotten spots, etc., it's red sunbrella material.