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Hobie 17 comp tip repair/replace help!
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Author:  Fa1321tx [ Thu Apr 14, 2011 4:50 am ]
Post subject:  Hobie 17 comp tip repair/replace help!
A friend just bought a H17 the comp tip is cracked but we have a big social sail this weekend so we are wanting to try a patch job but full replacement might be in option if we can get our hands on one today. My question is how would you patch it? I have west systems and was thinking of using the real hard filler then wrapping the mast like a band aid with some woven glass in alternate patten. He has a junky sail in case of mast failure and he will not over downhaul.
Also if anyone can give us some advice on full comp tip replacement that would be very helpful. We are in the Houston area so if you have a comp tip or mast for the H17 send me a message.
Image
Author:  MBounds [ Thu Apr 14, 2011 5:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 17 comp tip repair/replace help!
This is one instance where epoxy is the resin of choice for its superior bonding strength.

Functional, but not pretty repair:
1) Pop off the sail track and set aside.
2) Rough up the surface really well (80 grit) and clean thoroughly (acetone / alcohol).
3) Tape off the notch for the track and the "flat" on the back of the mast to keep resin out of the area.
4) Remove any loose bits from the crack and fill with thickened epoxy.
5) Wet the area around the crack with the resin - go all the way around the Comptip from track edge to track edge and at least 6" in either direction from the crack (12" long). Use fiberglass, Kevlar or carbon fiber tape with sewn edges to keep it somewhat neat.
6) Lay down and wet out 4 layers of glass or 3 of Kevlar or carbon, each layer 2" in shorter than the previous (1st layer 12", next 10", etc.)
7) Wrap the whole thing in 2" wide clear plastic packaging tape to compress the layers and squeeze out excess resin.
8 ) Let it go off overnight with a couple of incandescent lamps on it (heat), then peel off the tape, clean up the edges, pop the track back on. Done.

Depending on the resin, full strength cure may not happen for several days - heat helps.
Author:  Fa1321tx [ Thu Apr 14, 2011 8:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 17 comp tip repair/replace help!
Thanks!
Author:  srm [ Thu Apr 14, 2011 9:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 17 comp tip repair/replace help!
I'd grind out the crack first. Without removing the fractured material, you have no way of knowing whether the crack goes all the way through the sidewall of the mast. If it goes completely through, then four layers of glass may not be enough, you'd want to match the existing wall thickness to bring the repair back to original strength.

sm
Author:  Fa1321tx [ Thu Apr 14, 2011 9:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 17 comp tip repair/replace help!
Still considering replacing the comp tip a guy thinks he has one and is heading to his store to check for me but he doesnt remember having the install kit. Does anyone know what comes in the kit?
Author:  srm [ Thu Apr 14, 2011 9:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 17 comp tip repair/replace help!
Most likely some 3/16" stainless steel rivets, rivet caps, adhesive and instructions. Possibly a foaming kit too to seal up the aluminum extrusion.

From the looks of the picture, I'd probably be inclined towards a total replacement.

sm
Author:  Fa1321tx [ Thu Apr 14, 2011 10:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 17 comp tip repair/replace help!
The guy did not have one so we are back to operation bandaid for now!
Author:  fastcat [ Thu Apr 14, 2011 12:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 17 comp tip repair/replace help!
Check your tang, if it needs replacement now is the time to do it.

Epoxy resin, hum, where did I read good things about that stuff? :wink:

Replacement is rather straight forward. Getting the old tip out is the hardest part. Drill off the tang rivet heads, remove the tang and punch out (actually punching in) the rivet shafts. Evenly heat the top 8" of the extrusion with a heat gun to soften the bondo and pull comptip out (helps having 2 people for this). Clean up inside of extrusion, remove any burs on extrrusion luff track. Check that extrusion plug is in good order, seal or replace as necessary. Test that new comptip seats well before using Bondo (or similiar product) to seat new comptip. Once seated, drill holes into comptip using existing extrusion holes as guide. Place tang, insert rivet casings (I don't know if the factory mast comes with the rivet casings placed beneath or over the tang or if it makes a difference, I did it with the casings on top), then insert rivets and snap (I preplaced all rivets befor snapping and alternated left and right starting at the bottom). I let cure with the luff track facing up. This method has worked for me replacing 1 comp tip and adding one to an older H16. Good Luck

PS you should put a single layer of tape (I used vinyl pool repair tape) on the inside surface of the tang to help reduce possible electrolysis between the tang (SS) and the aluminum extrusion. :wink:
Author:  xanderwess [ Thu Apr 14, 2011 12:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 17 comp tip repair/replace help!
OMG, here we go again.
Author:  hobieandy [ Thu Apr 14, 2011 2:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 17 comp tip repair/replace help!
no Chris he has this one right. for the most part. does anyone have a 17 comp tip for sale? Texas?
Author:  h17cat [ Sun Apr 24, 2011 9:24 am ]
Post subject:  Similar repair, broken Wave Mast Upper section
:D Did similar repair on the upper section on a Wave Mast. Opened up mast, and made new core from cut down 2 by 4. Then wraped with fiberglass, and finished off with epoxy resin. Worked OK for several years. Finally replaced with H-14 Comptip. Worked well, and was just a couple inches shorter than the Wave upper section.
Caleb Tarleton, Sail Sand Point, Seattle
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