Cracks behind pylons

Ok got out for the first time this year in 17-20knot winds. It was a blast with plenty pitchpoles and high speed runs.
When I got back home and was doing my post inspection i noticed behind each pylon the hulls have cracked. What would have caused these and are they anything to worry to much about or just fill them.
Thanks


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The first picture definitely looks concerning. I would say, based on that picture, it's a structural crack, not just cosmetic. I think you need to do a proper fiberglass repair. If you just "fill" it with putty, it's going to crack again and will probably continue to get worse. It looks like you over-stressed the boat at one point or another. I would check to make sure all of the pylons still feel solidly attached to the hull. It's possible they may have also broken loose at the bottom end, inside the hull.

sm

Agreed.
This is the 'loose shoe' syndrome.

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

Ok ill check for looseness when I get home. I hope not but hard to believe all 4 became loose at same time. Not saying its not possible but will suck. If so guess I should start looking for another boat.
Thanks

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the repair is straightforward if you can work with fibreglass and gelcoat.
if you don't already know, look for pictures/diagrams as to how the bottom of the post fits into a 'shoe' which is glassed into the bottom of the hull.
typically that 'glass' attachment gets stressed and separates
grind a hole in the side of the hull, align, reglass, and patch the hull.
I cannot do that work, but I've seen guys do it.

Or better still, buy a new one!
The last of the snow melted yesterday, can't wait to get back on the water.

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

Here is a video that gives you an idea of what the interior of the hull looks like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEZJd-LpUws

_________________
James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

Maybe it's just the light, but those cracks don't look that new to me. What year is the boat?

_________________
'00 H16 #104691
'78 H16 #32692 ex-rental [gone]
Old Holsclaw trailer
My Hobie 16 pages

Well checked for loose pylons they are all sound. Also the chunk that came out was all gelcoat no glass.
As far as new cracks the boat is 74 I believe. But reason I know they are new is I just had it apart for paint.

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I don't know how one would come to the conclusion that the cracks look old or new (unless there was mold growing in them or something like that). The 2nd and 3rd pic, I agree those look like probably just gelcoat fracture. But the 1st picture looks more severe and is probably structural. The only way to know for sure would be to grid off the gelcoat and take a look at the glass below. If the glass is cracked, you will want to repair with fiberglass cloth and resin. It definitely looks like you stressed the boat hard. Even if the pylon seems solid, the forces on the boat during sailing are a lot higher than you can create by just giving the pylon a wiggle. One thing you could do is have someone observe the crack while you lift one bow off the ground. This would apply a twisting/torsional load to the hull structure and the observer could watch to see if the crack spreads open while you do this. But really the best solution is to just grind back the gelcoat and get a good look at what's going on with the glass.

sm

#One looks very suspicious. I too would grind it out done to the glass to see if crack goes all the way thru. You could grind it out further if it is, and try filling, sanding. If it cracks again I would start looking at the pylon foot. Put inspection plate in deck to get access. The other look just like gelcoat surface stress cracks, just keep an eye on them.

_________________
ADDICTION
1989 HOBIE 18 SE/sx wings
HOBIE ALTER SIGNATURE MODEL

Will do thanks for all tge input

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