How to install the 7' shock cords on a Hobie 18

Does anyone know what to do with 7' of shock cord for the trapeze on a hobie 18. The manual isn't clear, and the cords (4) attach on the outer lip of the hull. It seems like they should be 7" rather than 7'.

Thanks.

Here's what I do:

Put a 1" loop in the end with hog rings and cover with heat shrink.
Bevel the other end with a hot knife at about a 45 degree angle.
Start at the exit by the anchor pin and twist it through the hole and down.
Pull line aft/ forward to the deadeye underneath the lip.
(Look for them about 3' from the bow and stern underneath the deck lip)
Twist the shockcord through and up until you see the tail. May need pliers to grab it.
Pull the slack out plus 6 more inches to allow for break-in.
You're done!

Use he good black shock cord not the white with black flecks.

Hope that helps!

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Don't forget to tie a knot in the end (figure eight) then pull on the bungee to suck the knot back under the lip.

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

Thanks. I don't think I would have ever figured that out. I don't know of another boat that sets up like that. You solved a major puzzle.

There's a trick I used for getting shock cord through the deadeye under the rail on 18's... Take a piece of batten tie line to make a large loop. Slide loop up through deadeye, slide trap shock through loop, pull batten tie line down through deadeye and nab the shockcord, voila... Think of it as a giant needle threader.

THANKS! I probably would have figured it out sooner or later, but that is a great idea. After having been in a shed for 14 years, the shock cord is about the only thing that really needs to be replaced on my virtually new 18.

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