Hobie Cat Forums

It looks like I have to install another inspection port in my H21SE. I have two already, 1 in between the two cross bars and 1 just after of the rear cross bar.

I have to do some internal repair work to were the wings (seats) go into the hull up forward. The "tube" is cracking and seems to take on water into the hulls. The only way to access this area is by putting an inspection port forward of the forward cross bar.
I cannot access this area with the middle access port because the centerboard is forward of that area.


Is there an issue with having 3 inspection ports on one hull? I don't think there is, they are very big beefy hulls, but figured I would ask.

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H21SE spi 1988
H3.5 1975

Are tubes broken or just have a few cracks
I did a post on small crack repair in the tubes which is really easy without a new port

They are just cracked. One is worse than the others. It looks like the gelcat is cracked but not the glass. I figured I would get in there and add a few layers for strength. I would rather put in the time and money in the winter so I don't have any worries come summer.

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H21SE spi 1988
H3.5 1975

During a windy sail on Lake Michigan this summer,I noticed a small crack on the deck by my starboard aft wing socket.For there to me movement there,the bottom part of this socket had to have broken loose from its mount deep inside the boat.I order black access ports from my Indy Hobie dealer (the ports with the contoured base).After cutting a 5 7/16" hole in my deck about 9" center to center from my wing socket I found that the lower end of the wing sleeve separated from the gusset mount.I rebuilt that connection with kitty hair as that is what looked like the factory use to connect the sleeve and gusset together.That worked great.Than I coated that gusset with west system by use of a paint brush and come fiberglass fabric.Working inside your boat through a 5 7/16 hole allows room for only one arm to fit in making the job more difficult.If it was right in front of you the repair would be very simple and clean.It turned out just OK in appearance and I trend to be overly conscious of any work I do as many people are.Now my wing socket is stronger than new.This is the final wing socket that I have repaired in the last 20 years I being sailing my 21 SE.Each sleeve is at least twice as thick as they were new. All 4 wing sockets have be rebuilt and I recommend using black access ports,they look better over time than white access ports that tend to yellow.My daughter cried when she found that cut out piece of deck....but when work needs to be performed,you do it...The 21 SE is a battleship in strength and very very fast............ Bill 404 SE

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Bill 404 21SE

So do you have inspection ports forward of the cross beam? I have gotten a lot of negative responses that it was a very bad idea.

How else are you suppose to get to the forward wing socket? just aft of that is the centerboard making it impossible.

If I send you pics over the weekend do you mind looking and letting me know what you think?

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H21SE spi 1988
H3.5 1975

I fixed my cracks with marine tex i used a PVC pipe to reach into holes and smear into crack you can fill holes with water and check level in a few hours the level of the water is where the leak is a shop vac will remove water and then it is time for more marine tex keep this up until the tubes stay full of water do not forget to keep tubes protected from cold weather
I have not had the whole tube get loose

I used Gluvit Epoxy waterproof sealer to seal my wing sleeves,what a great product that is ...Bill 404 21 SE

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Bill 404 21SE

Here some photo of my inspection port that access my wing sleeves inside my 21 SE...
http://s941.photobucket.com/albums/ad25 ... =21001.jpg
http://s941.photobucket.com/albums/ad25 ... =21002.jpg
http://s941.photobucket.com/albums/ad25 ... =21003.jpg
http://s941.photobucket.com/albums/ad25 ... =21004.jpg

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Bill 404 21SE

WOW! that's pretty hardcore...

I think I'd try the Gluvit Epoxy waterproof sealer mentioned before and maybe take the output of a shop vac to pressurize and force the epoxy into the cracks in the tube while it's still wet. Mine don't leak... yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

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TC