Hobie 18 Jib Zipper Replacement

Hey Sailors, had an incredible summer sailing my new (someone elses old ) Hobie 18. Picked up a used jib from 1978 and the zipper is bad. Does anyone know how and where i can get the zipper replaced? The sail is still in beautiful condition and i dont want to replace it. Thanks!

Zippers are available as a replacement part through a Hobie dealer. Would likely be available from a sail loft as well. What part of the country?

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

T-Bone turned me on to this earlier this summer and I couldn't be happier (see link). Ordered online at a cost of roughly $25 for the 186" zipper and a spool of the special UV thread. You'll need to find a seamstress to sew the thing on.

http://www.beaconfabric.com/vindex.html

I got mine through the website below and sewed it on myself. Just make sure you have the right needle and a decent sewing machine. Mine looks like an amature did it, but then again I'm out sailing. . . .

Matt I did exactly as you mentioned with a local Hobie dealer about 5-6 years ago. I took my jib there as it needed a zipper. I was introduced to the sail repair individual who said the replacement wouldn't be a problem. After 3 weeks with no jib I stopped to check on the status. The jib was in the exact spot where I had left it. No zipper, no offer of what's going on, no nothing.

I am a firm believer and supporter of the Hobie dealer here. In fact, I sail my boat 2 hours from this dealer but also purchase parts from a Hobie parts outlet located where the boat is.

In this case I had to get the jib repaired another way as the summer was sailing on by. These things happen and life goes on. It's all good.

Matt, in located in salt lake city. Should any seamstress be able to install the zipper or do I need to mail it out to a sailmaker?

It would take an industrial sewing machine and strong thread.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Try
Wave Products
( You will even see a H18 handing from the rafters of the shop )
125 W 2100 S
South Salt Lake, UT 84115-1828
(801) 466-6061


Or

Kyle ( a former H18 guy)
at http://spotonrigging.com/id2.html
Your local sail repair guru in salt lake

Also
1st Annual Park City Ski/Sail Regatta
Coming in April 2011 will be the PCSA's first Ski/Sail regatta. Details are being finalized now.

The skiing competition will be run on one of the local Park City mountains - Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort or the Canyons. The sailing part of the competition will be run in lasers at the Jordanelle State Park Reservoir.


Also, We will likely have a H16 and or 18 class event, requiring at least 3 boats of each class. I think we have enough H16 guys but may be short if the H18s want to be included. Email Me if you want updates on the event as I have been asked about catamaran involvment. We may be able to coble some extra 16s together too.