Worth the trouble

Alright, I have a boat that's been sitting for several years, uncovered, exposed to the elements. I'd like to get back into sailing, so she's gonna take some work. I went to wash her off today and found a lot of cracks along the outside, front edge of the deck and around the bases of both of the front trampoline supports. I've also got a soft spot on the top of the left deck that abotu 24" x 11". Obviously, I need a new trampoline, maybe some new rudder cams (no biggie), and new standing and running rigging (already got). It needs a good cleaning, of course, and the last issue is a hole that was patched, probably poorly, using who knows what...So my question for the assembled is, is it worth the trouble/money or should I just get out now before I throw money down the drain?

Thanks in advance,
Chris

Anyone have any thoughts? Lost cause? Worth some time and trouble?

The soft spot on the top of the deck is a prob. I would not trust a boat like this in the ocean. I would try to fix the deck before I would throw any more money at her.

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I wish winter was not so long in Sask. Canada. It's hard to sail on ice! 1984 16' hobie cat Sail# 84848

This boat will probably never see the ocean, I live in Austin, Tx, so the worst it'll ever see is a stormy day on the lake...

I agree with Burley...fix the soft spot before you throw any more money into the boat. Doesn't matter if you're sailing on a pond, make sure the hulls are solid before you put the boat in the water- it's a safety issue.

sm

So, from the sound of things, the only major concern is the soft spot on the deck? The cracks along the top and edge of the deck aren't a big deal?...

Depends...are they just hairline cracks in the gelcoat? If so, then probably a non-issue. If they're structural (into the fiberglass) then they need to be repaired. Is there any hull flex in the area of the cracks? Do you know the source of the cracks (for example did a heavy tree limb fall on your boat)?

sm

They appear to be...nothing flexes anywhere...this afternoon I'll post up some pictures, maybe that'll help.

http://img139.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=hobiecrack1.jpg

Maybe this will help...

That's what happens when you crank down too hard on an over-the-hull trailer strap.

They're ugly, but otherwise no big deal.

ooh, yeah, that would make sense...

Anyhting else I should check for or make sure and do?

Here is the delamination fix post in our forums FAQ: http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=1156

If the delamination is not fixed, the hull could fail when sheeting on the beach. The use in ocean or flat water is irrelevant.

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

I talked to the guy at a local shop and he recommended using regular epoxy to fix the delam, any problems w/that? I'm sure this has been debated to death, but I can't find it...

CM

I would imagine the Hobie people need to tell you to take the safest route to avoid liability so I will be the flip side and say just do it. If you have boaters around you and know you won't be drifting out to sea then sail it hard until it breaks

Obvious caveats apply.. ie grown ups only on the shake down run, keep an eye on the soft spots while underway etc, if the thing looks like it's going to implode then you need to fix it or get newer hulls.

Sorry if this is against the rules but I will love my H16 all the way to the dumpster Mines is a 1993. Get back on that sucker, you will not regret it! I've been back for about a year and wonder why the heck I ever stopped. What a riot!

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midleessence is here.