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Comp tip splitting down the seam
http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=60150		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  ETinLV [ Tue Mar 21, 2017 10:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Comp tip splitting down the seam
I got a new-to-me Hobie 16 a few weeks ago. In the process of repairing/upgrading everything I discovered the luff track was broke. So I ordered a new one. Well, as I was taking the old one off I discovered a few issues. The previous owner had glued the old track where it split in place (that's the white crude in the photo), so as I removed the old one the edge cracked out in a few places. I think that will be ok.... The big issue, though, is the comp tip seam has split about 2 feet. This is 18 inches or so from the base of the comp tip.

Image

It actually looks worse in the picture. I can squeeze it back together pretty easy, but I don't want it getting worse, leaking water, or breaking any more luff tracks...
How should I go about repairing this? I searched the forums, but didn't find a crack quite like this one...

Thanks for the advice!
Author:  srm [ Wed Mar 22, 2017 9:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Comp tip splitting down the seam
Hard to tell exactly what is going on in the pictures, but my guess is you're in for a comptip replacement. I also would not suggest sailing it with the crack. Judging from the picture, it looks like that mast is pretty beat. Maybe someone ran it over with the trailer or strapped it down too hard for trailering and crushed it.

It's going to be difficult to make a structural repair and still be able to install the luff track and have a functional comptip. You would basically have to taper grind all the material surrounding the crack and laminate new glass. It is not going to be easy. The other option would be to just wrap glass around the exterior of the crack, but that will present a problem when you have to install the track and you will have a big "lump" of glass on the outside of the mast. Plus the mast bend will be all screwed up.

It may be easier and cheaper in the long run to just find an entire used mast.

sm
Author:  mmiller [ Thu Mar 23, 2017 9:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Comp tip splitting down the seam
That is a mold parting line and not a bond seam. The mast is built by wraps of glass, so odd it cracked there, but maybe you are in a freeze location? It could have expanded and cracked.
Author:  ETinLV [ Thu Mar 23, 2017 10:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Comp tip splitting down the seam
I think the boat spent it's life around San Diego, so I am not sure about freezing. Because it is under where the luff track was also broke, I think the hit by a trailer/dropped/over-strapped might be it, but I don't know?

Would grinding a v shaped channel through the crack (for the most part, it is perfectly straight along the line), and then filling with epoxy be acceptable? Or do I really need to add some new glass? I will likely be on the lookout for a new (used) comp tip, but in the mean time, it would be nice to repair this one if I can.
Author:  mmiller [ Thu Mar 23, 2017 1:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Comp tip splitting down the seam
This is highly stressed and would require glass work rather than just epoxy. I would remove the mast head and see if you can do it from the inside?
Author:  ETinLV [ Thu Mar 23, 2017 2:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Comp tip splitting down the seam
It is towards the bottom, so I guess I'd have to take the comp tip off. It is close enough to the base I think I could have access inside the comp tip. I found the instructions to get the tip off, but I'm not sure where to go from there. Would I just prep the inside of the channel best I can, then lay down strips making it thicker, or do I need to try to grind the old glass down and feather the new glass into it?

Either that, or I guess feather it in from the outside and then sand it flat-enough to get the luff track back on?
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