Bags in Hulls ?

Looking into my drain plug holes w/the deck ports open (allowing lots of light in) I can see in the rear of each hull what looks like large, half deflated "bags"..... any ideas ?

Wondering if I should try somehow to fish them out from the deck ports, around the dagger boards...

Inside the bags are stryfoam blocks. They are the required flotation for each hull. Don't mess with them.

I know because I put ports behind the rear beam and you can see them clearly. Hope this helps.

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1989 Hobie 18 Worlds Boat, Magnum Wings & Spinnaker
1987 Hobie Holder 20 #273

dale.vanlopik"at"att"dot"net

Rob,

DVL is indeed correct in his observation that the styrofoam blocks should not be "messed with" they are required.

When the boats were built, the styrofoam blocks were put in plastic bags, I really do NOT know WHY, maybe Matt Miller can weigh in and enlighten us.

It has been my observation that while the plastic bags might be there to keep the styrofoam dry, the reality is that over time the plastic gets holes in it from bouncing around inside of the hull and the net result is that they tend to hold water around the styrofoam.

Also, over time the plastic gets brittle and begins to shred and flake and often plugs the drain holes.

I put 4 inch ports in my H-18 about 6 to 8 inches behind the rear cross bar. Primarily to provide "cross flow ventilation" and keep the inside of the hulls dryer. However, there are two additional benefits from having those additional ports in that location. First, when you lift the bows, the water all drains to the rear, and you can use a sponge and sop up that last quart or so of water out of the hull. Second, you can very easily get all that plastic bag out of the hull and away from the styrofoam so that it is not trapping "humidity" up next to the styrofoam.

One other note, if you ARE considering putting ports in the top of the hulls behind the rear cross bar, don't use anything larger than the 4 inch porthole, the curvature of the deck back there makes everything else fit rather poorly. Also, when you are buying the port kit, be SURE and get the one with the ring that is fitted to a curved deck. The flat ones fit VERY POORLY.

Stephen
H-18

_________________
If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

...I'm in the midst of off season work projects:

- building a sailbox for the trailer....

- move trailer wheels a bit forward so the tongue isn't SO heavy (but still keeping significant weight to keep it on the hitch while trailering..)

- remove clean and paint wings (semi-glass black enamel)

- clean and pain cross bars (same as above but REALLY considering taking the whole boat apart....to to the crossbars right....

- paint rudders and casings and comptip (UV protection)

- rebuild bottoms from enthusiastic beach use!

- super wax job.

The bags were / are used to keep the styrene fumes from the polyester resin from attacking the foam during construction.

Stephen's right, though. If the bags start to get brittle and break up, it's time to make them go away.

Adding ports behind the rear crossbar in the proper place allow access to the rudder area and to add anchor supports to the rear crossbar.

Also great for ventilation. Check out my homepage on the H-18 website. Ventilation for the boat unless I'm sailing.

http://hobie-18.ning.com/profile/DaleVanLopik

_________________
1989 Hobie 18 Worlds Boat, Magnum Wings & Spinnaker
1987 Hobie Holder 20 #273

dale.vanlopik"at"att"dot"net

Matt,

Thanks for the answer to one of the questions that has bugged me for 20 years.

( Now, can you tell me the meaning of life? Is the government covering up evidence of UFO's? Who really shot Kennedy? ) or are the answers to those questions above your pay grade ?

_________________
If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

I still like the mesh bag full of ping pong balls idea.

huh?

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1971 H16 (sail #1768)

To all of you on the Hobie Forum... I love you guys!!!
thanks for all the help!