Greetings from a newbie poster. Will I get laughed off the

board on my initial post? I hope not because this is a genuine question, namely would those in the know kindly define a "soft spot"?

Background, I am a long time recreational Laser sailor who is in the process of transitioning to a Hobie once I find one. A similar "soft spot" warning comes with every used Laser purchase but having felt my way around many used Laser hulls, identifying one might not be as easy as it sounds. What I mean is just about every used Laser have some "give" here in there to some degree. Well, that's the case on my beach rack here in CT, anyways. Is this also the case with a quality used Hobie? The Hobie hull would appear to be significantly stiffer out of the box; at what point is it defined as "soft"?

Many thanks, looking forward to your insights.

Brian

I don't have great experience with soft spots but the hulls that I saw that were soft felt mushy, like the outer layer was unsupported and there was no strength to the fiberglass. You could feel and see the top layer flex and depress with very little finger pressure. I thought I was going to put my finger through the hull and I wasn't pushing very hard.

Kent
88' H16

oh, I have LOTS of experience with soft spots... Namely, what happens when you DON"T heed the warnings and take your boat out in strong winds... Needless to say, maybe I shouldn't have named her the S.S. Calamity as a joke...

About 1' in front of the front pylon you should be able to "thump" the hull with your fist like a hammer, and it make a thunk sound... If it makes a thup sound, its delaminated... It should sound hollow and rebound your hand. A soft spot may sound like crinkly crackily slightly breaking sound as you push on it gently... GENTLY>>> Don't give it soft spots if it don't have 'em... But the hulls SHOULD be able to support quite a bit of your weight with out making any noise and without giving. 78-83 I hear are the worst years. I had a '79 that was completely shot, but I didn't listen and almost killed someone when the hull collapsed and dismasted.

True brand new hulls will thunk a little louder, but you'll know a soft spot when you test one. Put weight on them with your arms and shoulders.... You'll know...

_________________
Andrew J.
1984 H16
1972 Venture 17
Aquaterra Kayak
1 Rubber Ducky

Brian,

Soft spots occur when the layers of glass and foarm that make up the hull delaminate, something all fiberglass boats are susceptible to. They can occur almost anywhere, but Hobie 16s can often get them just in front of the forward pylons.

The desciptions of how to find soft spots posted already are pretty...well...spot on. Rap on the hull with your knuckles. A hard, hollow sound is good. A mushy sound or feel is suspect.

As you heard, forward of the pylons is a particularly bad area for this boat as the bows of the boat take a lot of pressure, and delamination can lead to hull failure. If you have a boat and find delamination, it is repairable using techniques outlined elsewhere in this forum. If you are looking to buy a boat and find delamination...my suggestion would be to look for another boat (unless the price is just too good and you are willing to take on the job)

Good luck!

_________________
2001 H16E (European Boat) Sail #108348 Cabo
Club Wave
1991 H14T (Crushed by a Tornado)
2006 Bravo (sold)
1986 Hobie 16 (sold)
1981 Hobe 16 (sold)
1980 Hobie 14 (sold)

Check out this youtube video. They cut up a Hobie, and you can see the layers of fiberglass separating.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEZJd-Lp ... re=related

_________________
http://www.GetWetSailing.com It's A Great Day To Sail!

Thanks all, I appreciate the replies.