So I recently paid 300 bucks for a 1978 Hobie 16 in Arkansas. The top of the deck is pretty badly delaminated across most of the whole thing especially forward of the front pylon, and on one of the outer port hull there's just a bit of softness which is barely perceptible with the hand although I'm sure standing on it while flipped on the side would be noticeable.
I first tried the Git-Rot method, but rather predictably I put about 12oz into the front deck area on just one side, and every indication shows me that it mostly just flowed directly into the hull (although I do not have a porthole so I cannot see it, there's no mystery, it's going through.
I found some posts by Coral Reefer a while back about using expanding urethane foam, and I've decided to do that ( no reason throwing good git rot after bad). I don't believe the hull is cracked on the inside, I think it's just seeping through due to lack of resin.
Coral Reefer poured 4 pound foam into the front of his boat up to the front pylons, adding 16 LB on each side.
My idea was pouring 2 pound foam throughout the entire boat but with some 4 LB foam in the most delaminated areas, not for structural purposes really, but to fill up the inside so that the git-rot would not be able to flow through the inner skin.
Here's the foam I'm talking about:
http://www.shopmaninc.com/foam.html
Here's a couple posts about Coral Reefer (he hasn't posted in a few years, maybe sunk in the ocean?)
viewtopic.php?t=2051
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=6359&p=89237#p89237
Here's a post where talks about epoxy "seeping through the inside layer".. I've seen pictures of this I cannot find at the moment where the git rot is just dripping through the inner fiber layer without any visible cracks, I think this is what's happening with my boat. I don't really feel up to getting a roller into all the areas where my delam is occurring, so I don't think this is feasible for me, but good information.
viewtopic.php?t=8833
My current plan is:
1) 1 16 pound kit of 2 LB foam
2) 1 16 pound kit of 4 LB foam
3) Drill a 5' hole right behind the front pylon (between the two pylons)
4) Pour some 2 LB foam in the very tip where there is no delam.
5) Let that cure
6) Pour some 4 LB foam into the area immediately in front of the pylon and beside the pylon (this is the most delaminated area).
7) Let that cure
Put in a hopefully small amount of git-rot into the deck and side of the hull.9) If the git-rot sets better between layers and doesn't flow right into the hull, then I'd probably fill the rest with 2 LB foam and put some git rot in the back too where the delam is barely noticeable.
I know this will slow the boat down, and could lead to water retention, but I'm on a fixed budget and there's not a lot of Hobies in the area.. The ones that look in good condition are about $700+ bucks and are still a long drive a way, so far all I know they'd be delaminated also and I'd be halfway across Oklahoma before I'd know for sure. ~140 bucks for foam is a lot, but doable. I'll be sailing in very small inland lakes.
I'm gonna go ahead with this either way and will let you know how it works out. Any suggestions though are appreciated. Coral Reefer took a lot of flack for his approach, but it seemed to work for him. If he hasn't sunk to a watery grave years ago in a tragic maritime disaster it'd be cool for him to chime in =-)
Thanks!
