Draining the hulls

OK, I never launch from beaches - directly off the trailer and back on the trailer, never touches ground. I am not sure I can tip it to drain the hulls...



If the "skeg keel" area is hollow, I cannont tip the boat enough to drain that area while on the trailer. What I want to know is: Is this keel area indeed hollow or filled in (solid)?

I can tip enough to drain the hull area, but I am curious whether the keel area is full of water - requiring me to get some sort of pump.

Yes the keel area will hold some water. You may need to remove the rudders to get it tipped high enough to get every drop.

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

I found that I need to tip mine back so that the tounge of the trailer is about 6' or more in the air! If you slide the boat way forward on the trailer, (then tie it back down!) it allows you to tip it much more than normal, but it will be heavier on the tounge end of course.
I have inspection ports, so can see exactly what is happening. The skegs are not really hollow, but actaully solid in the narrow section. But water definetely still pools in that area since it is still so much lower than the drain. If you remove the plug totally, you can actually see into the hull, so then can determine how much water is left once you tilt it.

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Jim

2007 Hobie Wave

I've noticed on light days I don't take on any water, but on great days there can be quite a bit.

I have come to the conclusion that most, if not all, of the water enters through the top hatches (under the seat cushions) when waves splash over the hulls.

_________________

"HOBIE....
Say it LOUD and there's music playing...
Say it SOFT and it's almost like praying.....
I just sailed my WAVE out the Marina !"
West Coast Story

There was a lot of water in the port hull of my boat. On inspection, I couldn't find any openings. Is there a chance it came through the seat cushion? Are there top hatches underneath them?

Yes, there are inspection ports under the seat pads. They are not the typical twist off ports. These are covers secured w/sealant and screws. I have heard that they occasionally need to be re-sealed. Do your seat pads seem loose? If they are stuck down well I cannot imagine too much water seeping under them. Maybe a little over time if the ports are not sealed well.

It is possible that a drainplug is not holding a good seal. Check the o-rings, and they way they contact when closed. There could be dirt, split ring, or something else causing a leak there.

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Jim

2007 Hobie Wave

Did you ever figure out how water was getting into the hulls?

No, I still have no idea. There is not much water and it only gets in there on big wind/waves/wet days. The weird thing is, when I unscrew my drainpulgs I always hear a "poossshhhh" sound indicating air pressure. Riddle me this: If my hulls are air tight and can keep positive pressure inside, how can water find its way IN?

However, I did find a good way to tip the boat up and drain the hulls while on the trailer.

That is a good question how can water be getting in if it's air tight. I think that swoosh sound you hear when unplugging your drain is normal. I hear it mine sometimes too. It does seem like it would indicate air tightness. Although I leave my drain plugs unplugged when the boat is not in use so that the hulls can breathe while it sits in the heat on the beach. I would recommend that for any Wave. That procedure also reduces any mold or mildew build up.

On a rough day I get about a gallon of water in each hull. Rather than having to lift or tilt your boat to get the water out of the drains I would recommend the Thirsty Mate http://www.beckson.com/tmpumps.html It's very inexpensive and works fast and well. You would need a port in the top middle of your hulls, if you don't already have them, to stick the thirsty Mate in. I had eight inch ports added to mine. It was a small job and creates a nice storage area.

I think my leaks are from the ports underneath the mats that are used in the mfg process. I added new ones as the old ones looked a little warped and thought I sealed them real well but now I am wondering. My mats have become unglued and I just reglued them so that might help although technically those ports don't seem like they should leak at all if they are sealed right with or without the mats in place. It's an annoying thing. I took my boat completely apart and used marine silicone around every single fixture so I was surprised that I was getting any leak.