Hobie Cat Forums

I bought a used A.I. and found an abrasion on the bottom rear corner of the keel. It looks as if the boat has been dragged on on course sand paper.

How can I repair this reather serious leak?

It allows as much as several gallons of water into my main hull, in as few as 4 or 5 hours sailing time.

Hobie sells the plastic in sticks and some kind of welding tool to melt it. The basic idea is that you melt some plastic into the hole.

Has anyone out there done this? Is it easy, or do I need to seek qualified professional help?

Thank you, Amy

Amy

Have a look at this. I believe it is a new product just released to the market.



http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... &langId=-1

If you use it let me know how it works out

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Mickey
2011 AI Golden Papaya
2011 TI Golden Papaya

Here's a rather basic but helpful video showing how plastic welding works.

http://vimeo.com/7931904

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"You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality."
- Ayn Rand

We offer a custom configured KC Welder Pro that includes a bunch of Hobie color welding rods in the package. This welder has a hole in the welding foot that accepts the rod. Much simpler to use. The rod passes through the foot, melts as you push the rod through. It's shown in our catalog (Fall 2010 page 31).

72097001 KC WELDER PRO WITH ROD STOCK
3/16" TIP AND SELECTION OF HOBIE PLASTIC ROD
80 WATT ELEMENT

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Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

I have seen this!

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Paul, Rebecca & Stephanie

If you took one of those and melted a big blob of plastic down into the transom of a boat (stood on end) would it bond with the boat and make a stronger transom? Or would it be weak around the edge of the blob? Or would it not bond at all?