2 1/2 months for Parts from Hobie?

Hello all I am new to posting here but have used this forum extensively for the last year or so. I am hoping someone here might have an idea to help me with some parts I need for the up coming season.
At the end of February I ordered some pylon sleeves (found out about them here from another post) and a rudder cam. The cam is an easy part to get my local dealer (4 hours away) has them in stock. However the sleeves are proving to be an issue. Apparently Hobie moved their where house or something and thought they were in stock but now can’t find them. The dealer talked with Hobie and they said they are waiting for the next container ship to ship them and I won’t see them till mid May or so.
2 1/2 months is just too long. The ice is coming off the lakes and I was hoping to make it to our fleet opener in May not to still be working on the boat. Does anyone know a way to have them ship them UPS or something from a European dealer direct to me or something? I work for a Danish Wind turbine company and we can ship 100 ton parts to the states in less than 2 weeks why does it take Hobie so long? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

The "part" you are asking about is not something we stock normally. There is no part number in our system and was only brought in to the US one time in our history that I am aware of. It was used by Hobie Cat France as a joiner for an aluminum mast to allow it to be two piece for easier shipping. We have no purpose for it other than the VERY occasional pylon repair of an old boat.

As noted, the part is either gone (sold out) or lost. Was always hard to find even before the move, due to the fact that it is a non-standard part which we didn't have a stock location for... and we only accessed them every few years.

We are checking with France to see if they still have them and if they do, if they can add to a container shipment we had pending.

If this part is no longer available, you would have to go back to some another option as was done before we had these. That would be some sort of off the shelf extrusion or bar stock to make a join... or find another old hull.

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

The pylon sleeves are just pre cut dense closed-cell Polyethylene foam 3" - 4" thick (you might have to order 2" thick and glue a couple pieces together to get it 4" thick. You can order it on line (e.g., http://www.foambymail.com/Polyethylene.html. Cut it to size (use end of pylon as template). You should be able to squeeze it into pylon (might have to trim down just a little) and seal with 100% silicone. Be sure to insert breather tubes ( ~ 8" L - 1/4" ID polyethylene or similar) through the front pylon tubes to keep the hulls from pressurizing.

Just curious, could the OP use spray foam insulation? Shove a rag or something down so he does not need to fill the entire pylon.

_________________
Marc...
1978 Hobie 16 Keoke, sail# 36 84

Unfortunately, that is incorrect. The pylon sleeve is aluminum. Foam wouldn't work unless it was wrapped in carbon.

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Sail Revolution
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SORRY, I must have misunderstood what was being asked. So the sleeve is not the plugs used to keep the water from getting into the hulls from inside the plyons.

So is it possible instead of putting them in a container to just Fed Ex them or something? I dont know what they weigh but they have to be shiped anyway and the cost cant be that much more ir is it?

They have not responded to our requests for information on them as of today. If they have any... we will order and get some shipped. I understand that three dealers now have these on order. All for you maybe?

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

I hope not all for me I ordered only 2 from my local shop High Tempo over in the Twin Cities. As I understand 1 is cut in half and used for 2 Pylons. Thank you though for trying to help. I knew someone here could. The snow is almost gone here and once the last foot or so of ice is gone its time to try out the new wetsuit and get back on the water.

FYI... I'd use one per pylon. They are not that long.

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

Thank you mmiller I will have to call my dealer and increase my order. Im still going to keep my fingers crossed that they will arrive in time and I will be able to install them before the spring tune up. I apreciate all the help here and maby Ill have to take some pibtures of the old gal when she is done. On a side note anyone have a favorite shim material? I was going to use plactic tabs to tighten the frame. Thanks again