Loose Boat

My 81 Hobie 16 seems to have a lot of play between the two hulls. Meaning that when the boat is on the beach and I lift one hull up at the bow it takes about a foot untill the other one will raise off the sand. How can I tighten it up?

Thanks for your suggestions.

1) Tighten the tramp
2) If that is not enough SHIM the castings and tighten the tramp.
3) If that is not enough NEW Rivets in the castings, SHIM the castings and tighten the tramp.
4) If that is not enough EPOXY the frame, SHIM the castings and tighten the tramp
5) If that is not enough send me the boat and get a new one

What do you mean by shim? The tramp is tight as can be.

Okay the tramp is tight? Correct <yes> great!
If you do the pick up one side test and the boat still has "play" in it "shim" the pylons / corner castings. (Old beer cans work well)

Smooth Sailing!

Well I have plenty of those lying around, but exactly how do you do that with the beer can. I assume you lift the pylon out of the casting and then put the can around the pylon and insert it back into the casting. Is that close??


Thanks for your help. It has become so loose that when I am out sailing, the leeward hull dives under water evein in light chop while the winward hull hardly moves.

To shim with the beer cans, cut 1" wide strips about 3" long from the cans. Bend over one end about 1/2" and "hang" the strip on the outside of the pylon. You can use several strips on each pylon. Re-assemble the boat and you're done!

I've also seen strips of vinyl siding and brass strips (sold by Hobie) to do the same thing. The problem with shims is that they eventually wear out.

You're boat's so loose, though, it might be ready for gluing. That takes care of the problem once and for all.

So how loose is too loose?

My 1 hull will move about a foot before the other one does. (When it is not rigged if that makes a difference)

Should I try shims first or save my time and go straight for the glue?

Thanks,