Help! hull repairs

Hi guys I`ve bought a pre 87 H18 and have fixed various deck delam problems thanks to the info on this forum,very helpfull, but I`ve still got a slight problem with the outside of both bow hulls.when you push against them they flex easily.with the help of a miniture type security camera on the end of some electrical PVC conduit I`ve seen a crack line which starts from about 18" infront of the front crossbar and extends maybe 5' in a straight line towards the bow.there is no sign of the crack on the outsides at all.it dos`nt appear to be a delam problem,or is it?,just a crack line on the inside layer only.for my money it seems there is`nt enough resin saturating the inside layer as you can see light spots between each cross over in the cloth weave.so how do I fix this?aside from selling the boat.i`m guessing it needs a patch over the crack line.starting with the boat on it`s side and working some magic to get the patch on through the front access port.any idea`s?

Please, others chime in because I have not done this on a Hobie. First make sure to fix any foam delams. To repair the crack in the fiberglass take a 1"x3" piece of wood long enough to reach the crack and cut a steep angle one one end. Then stick some coarse sand paper on the steep angle and use it to scuff the area around the damaged area. then tape a brush to the stick to wet out the area. Wet out pieces of 9 oz. glass and use a stick or two to put the glass in place and push it flat to the hull. Sounds like installing another inspection port might make this easier, but consult with others on that.

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Jeff
Hobie 18 "Blue Jeanne"

Thanks for the helpfull tips Jeff I`ll let you know how I go.

Guzzi,
This is not an easy repair. Sounds like the core has been broken. The inner skin doesn't have much if any strenght. Repairing will add significant weight to the bows and most likely will only be temporary. The problem comes with stiffening the core back up so it won't continue to zipper. I tried unsuccessfully to repair an 18 with soft bows 2 years ago by using the methods listed here. The boat became horribly heavy and after one outing the hulls had become soft in new places. The inspection port doesn't give you enough room to work. Don't put holes in front of the crossbar unless you want to break a hull. Removing the top cap would provide the greatest access to repair. I've never removed a topcap on a 18 but have on a 16, very hard to do and even harder to replace. If you can get to it you can repair it by removing the inner skin and foam core and building back with mat and roven woven. I'm not sure its worth it, replacing the hulls may be the only way to go. I know of a port hull for sale.

Thanks for you help.
The repaires seem to be successful I`ve only been out twice I guess time will tell.
Repaires were done through the front port hole.I used Jeff`s idea of the shaped 3 x 1 which worked ok .I played around with a normal rubber sanding block hinged across its end to a broom stick handle, allows the block to sit flat as you push and pull and can be tilted on its edge to get into the crack.It was also weighted with lead ontop to give some downward force.
Hulls removed and levelled so that the crack was at the bottom of the hull curve i poured glue along the crack using a half a beer can taped to an extendable paint roller handle,the glue then spread to required width to suit 4" wide matt,the pre-made type straight of the bulk roll,enough matt was then wound onto a dry paint roller and rolled out over the crack then rolled over with glue wetted roller to finish off.
Using the security camera made it really easy.90% of repaires were done watching the TV screen,surgeon style.The camera has a swivel base which I taped a strong magnet to,with another strong magnet on the outside of the hull the camera can be mounted anywhere giving an exellent view.

Guzzi,
In my opinion you win the McGuyver award for your unique approach. Hope the repairs holds well and keep us posted.

I like the use of the camera! Did it stiffen up the soft spot? For sure check the repair after the next couple of sails. I can't wait for spring.

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Jeff
Hobie 18 "Blue Jeanne"

Guzzi,
I applaude your ingenuity. The camera was the ticket, see what your doing while doing it. The roller of mat was also an excellent idea, never thought of that. Good luck with the repair, hope it holds forever.

Thanks for the comlpements guys I certainly was`nt expecting that.
Jeff,the repairs are rock solid.Before the repairs with two hands fingers spread pushing against the hull it would move 1/4" to 1/2".Now with a closed fist I thump the hulls and they resonate with a dull boom.
The camera is also great for spoting potential problems as I found out.With a light shining on the hull from the outside it gives an xray type view.You can see stress lines that have not developed into failures ie cracks, not visable to the naked eye or camera from the inside, and external repairs hidden under the gelcoat especially on a cat as old as mine you see things you don`t want to see.
Looking inside underneath the rear crossbar showed the blue glue lifted slightly away from the hull,putting a screwdriver in and twisting showed the crack would open,again no outward sign of any problem. Chow