Return to Hobie.com
Hobie Forums
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:16 am

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 23 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2
Author Message
PostPosted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 3:01 pm 
Offline
Site Admin

Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:44 pm
Posts: 15026
Location: Oceanside, California
Fyi... stock springs are still available from Hobie Cat through your dealer. We have plenty of stock available.

30300031 CENTERBOARD SPRING H21

($17.50 USA 11-2012)

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


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 10:48 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Thu Jun 28, 2012 2:30 am
Posts: 18
mmiller wrote:
Fyi... stock springs are still available from Hobie Cat through your dealer. We have plenty of stock available.

30300031 CENTERBOARD SPRING H21

($17.50 USA 11-2012)



I did not know the springs were still available. Get thee to your "local" Hobie dealer for the springs! And buy a new boat while you are there! :mrgreen:


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 1:22 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:39 pm
Posts: 11
Location: Indianapolis, IN
21 SC Alternate Idea:

When I discovered I needed to replace my centerboard springs, the first step was to search this forum for ideas/instructions. I was happy to hear that the SC had an access port to greatly simplify this job. Then I opened to hull hatch, poked my head in and was greatly disappointed to see a solid bulkhead. What are the choices? Start cutting? From an earlier thread, I found the following:

Quote:
The early Sport Cruiser had no access bulit in for spring replacement... an oversight. You need to cut an access in the bulkhead. You can install a port.


_________________
Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA


Mine was a 1999, which I thought was near the end of the run, but I guess it qualified as an early model.

Anyway, I am not particularly fond of cutting holes in boats, especially with the risk of accidentally cutting into the centerboard trunk, so the following is how I accomplished the job without cutting, which also means without removing the upper attachment bolt. If you like carnival games more than cutting into your boat, this technique may be for you as well.

Disclaimer: I am not advocating straying from anything Hobie recommends. This is something that worked well for me and helped me keep from cutting into the boat. Maybe it will work for you as well, but use at your own risk.

Safety: As always, whenever working under something, make sure it is properly supported. No need to risk crushing injuries. Also, make sure to use eye protection, as this method could involve looking up at your work piece while hoping it comes down/out, which it will do, with force.

Now to the process. Most of it is described well in this thread, the manual available elsewhere on this site and in other threads, so I am only going to focus on the actual removal and installation of the springs themselves. This process is intended for the boat to be right side up whereas the Hobie instructions discuss flipping the boat over.

Remove the boards as described elsewhere. (may require lifting the boat and/or trailer)
A portion of the spring(s) is likely still attached to the upper attachment bolt and must be removed. To do this, bend a coat hanger into a hook shape like this, leave enough length on the free end to reach outside the hull and create a handle:
Image
Insert hook all the way through the center of spring and hook it on the upper end near where it is attached to the bolt. It will look something like this, but you won't really be able to see it:
Image
Now get yourself away from the line of action of the spring and give the hook a good firm pull. The upper end of the spring should unravel and separate from the attachment bolt. This will be a very firm pull, but I don't think there is risk of damage. The attachment bolt and surrounding fiberglass should be much stronger than the spring. Be careful as it may come out of the trunk with speed/force. Remove the second spring the same way.
To re-install with new springs, first modify the loop on the end of the new spring to facilitate installation. This will require you to open the loop slightly and push it off center slightly. The least modification the better, probably, but it should slip easily over the attachment bolt. I am not sure what size the bolt is, I just used a #2 Philips screw driver shaft as a gage. Here is what the spring should look like before and after the mod. Note that this is only needed on one end of the spring.
Image
Next, create an installation tool to lift the spring into place:
Image
The spring on the lifter will look like this:
Image
Using the lifter, lift the spring into the centerboard trunk and hook it over the attachment bolt. Note: there is a spacer on the attachment bolt and 1 spring must be on each side of it. You will need to slide the spacer over toward the first spring to make room for the second. Hooking the second spring will likely be the hardest part of this process and will take a few tries. Note that an unsuccessful try results in the spring falling toward your face. Take the necessary safety precautions.
After the second spring is in place, complete the job by attaching the lower end of the springs and the pull rope (between springs) to the centerboard and reinstall the board as described elsewhere.
And the final step: congratulate yourself on completing a tough job without cutting any holes in an otherwise perfect boat.

I hope this helps someone out there.

Cheers,

Eric


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2016 4:16 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2013 7:51 am
Posts: 72
Does anyone know if the springs are still available? Talked to a dealer today and they are going to check, but didn't sound hopeful. Also checked with Murray's and they said not available, but to check with a dealer.

_________________
Scott
Hobie 18 w/wings
Hobie/Holder 12 Funseeker
2 Hobie Waves
Tandem Oasis Kayak
Hobie 16
Southern California


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2016 5:05 pm 
Offline
Site Admin

Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:44 pm
Posts: 15026
Location: Oceanside, California
mmiller wrote:
Fyi... stock springs are still available from Hobie Cat through your dealer. We have plenty of stock available.

30300031 CENTERBOARD SPRING H21

($17.50 USA 11-2012)


Yep... still in stock at the same price.

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


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2016 5:11 pm 
Offline
Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2013 7:51 am
Posts: 72
I will be taking 4 out of your inventory here shortly. Thanks for the quick response and keeping inventory for these boats.

_________________
Scott
Hobie 18 w/wings
Hobie/Holder 12 Funseeker
2 Hobie Waves
Tandem Oasis Kayak
Hobie 16
Southern California


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun May 22, 2016 9:10 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2013 7:51 am
Posts: 72
I replaced the springs this weekend. We had a hard time fishing the second spring up as described above. So we took a small wire tie and assembled the two springs and spacer together. Then lifted into place with a straightend coat hanger with an S hook bend in the end of it. Then lifted into place and reinstalled the bolt through the assembled spring/spacer. We left the wire tie assuming it won't hurt anything up there. Probably spent 30-45 minutes fishing parts up there, with this assembly it took one try and about 5 minutes tops to get the springs attached at the top. Required 2 people.

Just another option if people don't like cutting access holes in their boats. I am now curious if Hobie installed before putting the deck on the boat, or if they had some jig or fixture to hold the springs in place.

_________________
Scott
Hobie 18 w/wings
Hobie/Holder 12 Funseeker
2 Hobie Waves
Tandem Oasis Kayak
Hobie 16
Southern California


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon May 23, 2016 10:01 am 
Offline
Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:39 pm
Posts: 11
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Scott,
Congrats on your successful install. FYI, the procedure above was targeted specifically at the 21 SC, in which there was no way to reach the bolt without cutting access holes. The construction inside the hatch is a bit different than the 21 SE. With SC, in the "early" years, the simple way was not to remove the bolt, hence the procedure described.


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 23 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Jump to:  
© Hobie Cat Company. All rights reserved.
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group