84 Hull Confusion

Hi Guys, I know this topic has been brought up many times and I was on a plan to work on my 1984 hulls. But then....

My hull number is CCMH8438M84D - so April 1984. Figured I have the lighter "red line" hull and need to consider installing the new plates and adding glass inside the hulls. I've only had the boat three weeks - no soft spots or hairline cracks. No evidence of the hulls being repaired either. Old style brackets at each end of the crossmembers - not the newer 4 bolt design.

Mostly plan on lake sailing but I am going to the beach over the 4th and want to take it in the ocean but I am concerned after reading about these front hulls snapping off!!

No red line under the lip and the globs of sealant were black not red. Whats up with that? Is it possible that I dont have the ligher Red Line hull?

Thanks for any feedback. Really want to get this right and not be worried about hull failure.

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1984 Hobie 18

84D = fourth month of the model year production, not the calendar year. Model year production starts in August, so yours was made in November of 1983.

There is generally no warning on hull failure, so looking for cracks, etc. is a poor predictor.

If you're loosing sleep over this, then you need to install the plates.

In the serial number system used in the mid 70s and to early 80s:

A Aug (prev year)
B Sep (prev year)
C Oct (prev year)
D Nov (prev year)
E Dec (prev year)
F Jan
G Feb
H Mar
I Apr
J May
K Jun
L Jul


So... D would be November production. I have a bunch of new notes on serial number history from our company historian (Bill B), so I need to update our FAQ on this. It changed 4-5 times over the years.

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

Thanks for clearing up the produciton date but the key question is around the fact that the sealant/glue between the hull and the deck is black and not red. This makes me wonder if I have the lighter/potentially weaker hull or not.

Again- thanks for all the great help to this newb.

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1984 Hobie 18

May have been 1984 construction... 1985 model year (starts September) that changed to red glue seam, but I have always thought a 1984 model was this way. In any case... red glue signified the change to a lighter construction... and the beginning of some issues.

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

Matt,

Would any of your new notes be able to shed light on the date of manufacture of my H-18 that somehow got out of the factory without the last three digits of its serial number?

Serial number is CCMC2333

Jim Doty

Nothing for that issue.

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

Here is the inside of my 84 hull made with a Nov 83 serial number.

_________________
1984 Hobie 18

Hummm... narrow reinforcement patch is what caused the issues. I would do the fiberglass reinforcement and the plates on this boat.

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