Hobie 17 cracks/advice

Recently bought a Hobie 17, good condition, in need of a wash!

Found cracks around the crossmembers/crossbeams some only in the surface, others
are a little deeper/wider/more likely to spread!



what is the severity of these cracks? as they are on top of the cross members
And sited near where the wings seat into the hull I can imagine that these areas
Are under alot of torsion/pressure/stress while in use!

Is this a common problem? Is it safe? What would you recommend to treat it short term?

And finally I did have a thorough search for a similar problem or situation to give me a guage on how
To apply a permanent fix for this, generally know my way around a toolbox, but wondering if any of you
Have treated similar problems in the past?
And what is the best course of action for fixing this for some lifetime use!

Hope to take him out soon for a quick run, but wanting to know the risk factors and best treatment before
I start taking my daughter and partner out with me!

Kind regards
C

Those are highly structural cracks in the crossbars. The 17 was built lighter weight and does see corrosion and stress cracking there. Unfortunately, the boat has been out of production for many years and parts are scarce. Crossbars are no longer available.

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

I have a rear crossbar in my basement if you’re interested.

_________________
H16 2002 "Islands" Sail No. 107432

Cracks like the ones in the thread below? Unfortunately the crossbar cross-sectional shape creates a stress riser where the trampoline track is formed and leads to the crossbars cracking. Not sure why Hobie did it that way on the 17 as all of the other boats have a much better crossbar design. Anyway, on my boat I welded the cracks and then added a stainless strap to resist the torsional stress (shown in the the thread linked below). It seems to be holding up well for several years now.


https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=56858&p=297586&hilit=Crossbar#p297586

sm

Sorry it would be so much easier to explain if I could have attached the photos i took
!! Luckily the CROSS MEMBERS ARE FINE it's the hulls where the cross members attach to that is the concern!
Where the cross.members attach to the hulls there are cracks leading outward from UNDERNEATH the cross
Members, they don't go far only about two three inches outward, but obviously I want to be sure my hulls are water tight! And having
Cracks on top of both is making me uneasy!