Creaking and groaning

Hey srm,

I've read that in other posts a couple of times but don't fully understand the reasoning. Not being argumentative, I'm genuinely curious.

They're out of the way of the tramp, completely covered with pieces of pool noodle, there are no protruding edges, they're out of the way of normal boat operations, contribute little to boat weight, hell Hobie even sold a kit like this a while ago. The kit never caught on for reasons that are unknown, maybe there is a fundamental flaw, maybe they were a good idea that just never gained popularity.

To me it seems to be a great low cost solution that adds rigidity to my old(er) boat without any downside or risk. What specifically concerns you?

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'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'

My biggest concern would be getting hung up in those cables during a capsize. I'm sure during normal sailing conditions, they're out of the way and go unnoticed, probably no problem. It's when the sh!t hits the fan that's when they present a danger.

When you capsize, those cables are going to be right in front of you. I have visions of getting a trapeze hook caught on one of them, or an arm, or a foot. I would not want to have to be walking around those things when the boat is upside down turtled. Plus, when you pull the boat upright after a capsize and you're under the boat, your head is going to be right next to those cables - no thanks.

When it's blowing 25 and the boat is flogging around after a capsize, or does an up-and-over those cables would be the last thing I want anywhere near myself or my crew.

By the way, to my recollection, it wasn't Hobie that sold those cable kits way back when, it was an aftermarket company, and they were evenutally banned from racing because of the danger.

sm

That is 100% correct.

Very, very interesting and lots to consider. Thanks a lot srm for the considered response!

Now that I've squared her and tightened the tramp super tight maybe I'll upgrade the frame rivets to 1/4" and see how she goes, and glue her later if necessary. I may not need the cables after all and if you're right about the security concerns then I'll probably have a hard time justifying them.

Thanks again, I have no problem reversing course in cases like this if there is a compelling reason.

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'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'

I would just live with the groans - all the H16s I have owned (4 total) have made noise.

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1980 18 foot class A Unicorn catamaran
1977 Super Sunfish (sold)
1979 Hobie (sold)
1983 Hobie 16 Hawiian Sunset (sold)
1981 Hobie 16 Tequilla Sunrise (sold)
2008 Hobie 16 (sold)
2023 Hobie 16
Founding member of the "San Dimas Yacht Club"
John

I think the concern of the thread is now about boat rigidity and performance more than about the noises, though it started out as about the noises.

Jman:
I don't know if I'm strong enough to pop a 1/4" rivet.

I did 24 miles (top speed 16mph) yesterday on the boat, and it's still together. My 'plan' is to fix it after the season is over. Or start over with a boat in better shape.

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frank pichel, H16 Veribold, #71146

Hey fpichel, with this one you can:

http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty ... ottle-6642 2.html

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'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'

I have a new 2011 boat and it creaks and groans too. Whats odd is that it doesn't do it every time I go out on the water. The sailing conditions don't seem to have any relation to noises so I just tell my crew it adds character!

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2011 H16... Have a Hobie Day!
1983 H14 Turbo...

Mine's a 72 and it barely groans anymore, the beach from were I launch has a small rocky peninsula that produces lots of "windshades" and when the wind is strong you can go from 2 knots to 12 in a few seconds so it'll groan there but once she's flying she'll stop.

I do a lot of creaking and groaning after a days sailing

Mine just started creaking today. Since the last sail, I had it in the backyard upside down for a couple of weeks while working on a bottom job. Well, I noticed that the starboard hull had some play at pylons but everything is nice and tight... may shim them over the winter, any suggestions?. Like someone already mentioned... the creaking seems to stop when flying a hull.

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'95 H16 sail #101148
'89 H18 SX/ sail #1053 w/ Yellow hulls