Damaged deck and seam

Hobie hull damage

While out sailing, we split the seam at the anchor bar and dropped the mast. We also tore away some of the deck. My plan to fix he issue is as follows:

As the deck is already damaged, I plan to cut away the deck in an oval shape just large enough to allow easy access to the inside of the hull/seam (get a grinder and hand/arm inside).

To repair the seam, I was thinking about clamping the split seams together (just enough to enable epoxy to squeeze out – ensuring that the epoxy is able to set between the deck and hull). I will drill some holes through the deck and inject epoxy into the holes, allowing it to run into the seam.

To reinforce the structure I will mix epoxy and microballoons or similar resin thickener to form a paste (peanut butter consistency) and bead a smooth curve on the inside of the hull at the seam, this should give me a good area to work with.

To further reinforce the hull and deck, I will sand (grind) back some of the glass inside the hull (to enable a good bond) and lay up a course of fibreglass mat.

To repair the deck, I will cut back the damaged area(s) until good, undamaged fibreglass is exposed.

I’ll make the Backing Laminate. I will cut two pieces of 8 ounce fibreglass cloth, three inches larger than the hole(s). Using Vinylester resin I will pour the resin over the 1st cloth on the wax paper, and then repeat with the second piece. Once cured, I shall peel the laminate off the wax paper, and cut so that it will have 1 inch overlap over the hole(s).

The backing laminate will be inserted into the hull and glued to the foam and inside of the hull using a syringe filled with catalysed resin.

Once cured, I will glass in three sheets of mat as per fibre glassing techniques.

Does anyone have any other advice on this repair?

Does it look like what happened to my old boat?
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=10257

The deck peeled up like a cooler lid on mine. I scrapped the boat and moved on. I really liked that boat though and wish I had tried to repair it.

The Hobie 18 has an Anchor Plate Kit that may be a nice addition if you are planning to fix it.
Part # 64100001

I was thinking about adding those plates or way longer anchor bars under the repaired lip or both!

Good luck.

_________________
Mike
Pearland, TX
1990 Hobie 16
http://feidler.blogspot.com/
Member of Surfside Sailing and Hobie Fleet 33
http://hobiefleet33.com

Hi Mike,

Nice work on the cooler lid! Mine looks similar, only a lot messier. I'm going to have a go at fixing it myself, as I can't get anyone (boatbuilder) locally to fix it. All are too busy, or not recommended.
It looks like a big job, but if I work on one section at a time, I hope to get through it.

I've often thought that the bow tang would be the weak link. While the side shrouds have the anchor bar, the bow appears to have nothing. Has anyone reinforced their bow tang with some sort of an anchor bar?

Hey Mike, you'll be happy to know your old sails are still going in Florida....#74336

That is great news!

The spirit of "Splash" lives on!

I hope you get great use out of them. I wish I had kept them . I just had to buy a set to go on my 1990 Hobie 16.

_________________
Mike
Pearland, TX
1990 Hobie 16
http://feidler.blogspot.com/
Member of Surfside Sailing and Hobie Fleet 33
http://hobiefleet33.com