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Dear Matt,

This just to acknowledge the receipt of your e-mail.

I see the problem and will have it discussed ASAP with the Advisory Council and the Rules Committee in order to find possible solutions one way or the other.

Thank you very much for paying our attention to the problem.

Best regards

Erik Olsen
IHCA Rules Committee Chair
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Erik,

As you may know, we are having a bit of a resurgence in the H-14 class here in the states. As a result, a lot of older boats (25+ years old) are being refurbished and used for racing.

A significant problem that frequently occurs in old boats is that the foam flotation absorbs and holds water, making the boats very heavy (two boats at the North Americans weighed nearly 300 pounds - 60 pounds over minimum).

The IHCA rules specifically state that the blocks shall not be removed or reduced in size, but what about replacements? Realizing that the block cannot be removed in one piece without removing the deck, some people have extracted the block (in pieces) through an access port and then "replaced" it with foam swimming "noodles" (a photo is attached in case you are unfamiliar with these). This is definitely not class legal as the rules stand today, especially since there is no standard for the volume of flotation required.

Would it be feasible to establish an "old boat" rule whereby boats over a certain age (say 20 years) can replace their flotation blocks? (We would have to establish a minimum volume as well.)

Thanks for your consideration.
--
Matt Bounds
Editor, Hobie Class Association HOTLINE
www.hobiecat.com/hobieclass

Author:	xanderwess [ Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:51 am ]
Post subject:	Floatation
Can anyone help me with the rules regarding floatation in the 14. As some of you may know, my boat is a huge piece of (censored), and weighs 297lbs. I am thinking of adding inspection ports, removing the saturated and crumbling styrofoam blocks, and maybe blowing up an innertube or beach ball inside instead. What do the rules say? Upsides and downsides? Help me and my fat girl. cw

Author:	MBounds [ Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:39 am ]
Post subject:
Quote: 9.5 Hull flotation blocks as supplied by the HOBIE CAT CO. shall not be removed or reduced in size. Pretty much says it all. On the other hand: Quote: 7. DESIGN FEATURES AND APPROVED CHANGES Nothing may be changed or removed from any Hobie Cat that will in any way alter the structural integrity, design function, or built in safety features of the boat. All changes shall have prior written approval. Notwithstanding the above, it may be possible to get a written waiver from the IHCA Rules Committee (Erik Olsen is the chair - [email protected])

Author:	gree2056 [ Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:42 am ]
Post subject:
There isn't really alot to be gained the way I see it unless the styrofoam blocks are really heavy. The blocks are there to provide floation if the hull fails. So all you will be gaining is the weight difference which I guess could be substantial but I do not know how big the blocks are. As for adding other floatation methods, those once again are solely for the purpose of the boat not sinking if you hit something or forget the plugs. Also you might be setting yourself up for a failure by adding inspection ports. The have to weaken the structure of the boat and they can allow water to get in. This is a little random but I am getting rid of my 14, the port hull is in amazing shape, the starboard one is ....okay.... but she is light. I am looking to sell her soon, maybe you could do a little reconstructive surgery on your fat lady.

Author:	xanderwess [ Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:00 pm ]
Post subject:
Matt Thanks for the quotations. They are loose and rattling around in there and I took the boat apart and lifted up a hull to carry it into the garage and it shifted and about knocked my over. They are HEAVY. I am wondering if I replace the exact amount of styrofoam if that would be okay, my existing floatation sucks. This way, I could put in a watertight bag too. gree2056, thanks for the offer, but I own about 5 hobie 14s already and I will not under any circumstances, contribute to you getting rid of a Hobie 14 to replace it with a 5.2. Not in my nature. Like dogs and cats living together.

Author:	MBounds [ Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:32 pm ]
Post subject:
Chris - I'll send an e-mail to Erik for you, but I've got a pretty good idea of what the answer will be.

Hobie Forums http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/

Floatation http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=5329	Page 1 of 2

Author:	xanderwess [ Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:36 pm ]
Post subject:
Tell him about how everyone makes fun of my boat and its hard on my self esteem. He could be saving a life by saying yes..................

Author:	srm [ Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:27 pm ]
Post subject:
Why not add the porthole, but instead just see if you can get the boat to dry out. Try the old lightbulb and fan trick. If the boat is truely heavy from water saturation, it might work ok. Weigh the hulls first to see how much weight you get out. sm

Author:	xanderwess [ Tue Nov 14, 2006 9:12 am ]
Post subject:
That will be my last resort. I really want that block out of my boat. Its just not right and my boat is 297lbs. I like the noodle idea alot, hope it works out.

Author:	MBounds [ Tue Nov 14, 2006 2:13 pm ]
Post subject:
Here's the latest: Quote: Dear Matt, This just to acknowledge the receipt of your e-mail. I see the problem and will have it discussed ASAP with the Advisory Council and the Rules Committee in order to find possible solutions one way or the other. Thank you very much for paying our attention to the problem. Best regards Erik Olsen IHCA Rules Committee Chair -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Erik, As you may know, we are having a bit of a resurgence in the H-14 class here in the states. As a result, a lot of older boats (25+ years old) are being refurbished and used for racing. A significant problem that frequently occurs in old boats is that the foam flotation absorbs and holds water, making the boats very heavy (two boats at the North Americans weighed nearly 300 pounds - 60 pounds over minimum). The IHCA rules specifically state that the blocks shall not be removed or reduced in size, but what about replacements? Realizing that the block cannot be removed in one piece without removing the deck, some people have extracted the block (in pieces) through an access port and then "replaced" it with foam swimming "noodles" (a photo is attached in case you are unfamiliar with these). This is definitely not class legal as the rules stand today, especially since there is no standard for the volume of flotation required. Would it be feasible to establish an "old boat" rule whereby boats over a certain age (say 20 years) can replace their flotation blocks? (We would have to establish a minimum volume as well.) Thanks for your consideration. -- Matt Bounds Editor, Hobie Class Association HOTLINE www.hobiecat.com/hobieclass

Author:	xanderwess [ Tue Nov 14, 2006 2:17 pm ]
Post subject:
Thanks for the help. Any closer I can get to the magic 240 makes me very happy Now, I need to get myself down a bit too and then we'll be really happy

Author:	Bob Curry [ Tue Nov 14, 2006 4:56 pm ]
Post subject:
Chris, Besides the noodles, Opti boats and other classes use inflatable bags for flotation. Cut in those ports and join us in the promised land! Bob

Author:	Dan Berger [ Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:19 pm ]
Post subject:
How about ping-pong balls?? You can get them in bulk on eBay and they have to be lighter than the foam. Wow, and if you were out to sea and your hull broke in half, the balls would spill out and make a GREAT target for the rescue plane to find you!

Author:	MBounds [ Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:51 pm ]
Post subject:
Dan - you've been watching too many Mythbusters re-runs. Ping-pong balls and flotation bags aren't going to fly because they can be punctured and will lose their flotation properties. Pool noodles are an ideal replacement - they're relatively cheap, they can be easily inserted through an inspection port and they'll never lose their flotation. The IHCA Rules Committee has already responded with comments / questions - and they seem to be leaning towards allowing it if we can come up with a volume specification. I can't believe how fast this is moving.

Author:	xanderwess [ Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:07 pm ]
Post subject:
farkin-a. Ping pong balls. What a riot.

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Author:	Bob Curry [ Wed Nov 15, 2006 5:48 pm ]
Post subject:
I think Dan has been "ponged" too much lately! This is funny. Bob