What do you think of this boat?

Ok, Ok, without the magazine cover, I would have called Bullsmoke, but I bow to the Master.

However, I have to ask a question, why did the stickers that labled Hobie as made by or owned as a "Division of the Coleman Company" not appear on the rear of the boats until 1984?

Answer me that Master Yoda. <Grin>

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If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

Complete your training you must!



Should've been: "Complete your training you MUST429!"

FWIW my boat is an 85 and has been sailed hard and fast for all of these years by me without any issues whatsoever. It has been well taken care of by all means though. It is a H16 not an 18. I hadn't heard of quality compromise issues with Coleman years till now but knew hull weight lightened up some. Was it just 18's that had some issues?

I wish we could delete posts.

Does yoda have info on the new 18 from hobie europe? Or do i have to ask Darth vader? Jaques?

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Rich Vilvens
F-18 5150
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http://www.sailblogs.com/member/f-185150sailing/

Thanks again for all the advice. I don't know anyone who is Hobie cat proficient, so I'll have to see what I can find on hull delamination. What are the signs of such a condition? I know that when a boat's hull has a powdery surface, that is a bad sign. Is this the same thing?

Off I go to Google "hull delamination"

a powdery surface is an easy fix its just oxidation of the outer gell coat. Hull delam is when the bond between the layers of fiberglas and foam core is broken. This makes the hull "soft" and you can push down on it very easily. The cross bar points on a 18 are tell tail spots just for and aft about 6 inches.

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Rich Vilvens
F-18 5150
[email protected]
http://www.sailblogs.com/member/f-185150sailing/

Not it's not. If the hull is chalky, most likely it's been left in the sun for a long time.

On the flat sufaces (not the non-skid) it can be sanded and buffed out pretty much like new again. The color may not come back on non-white boats, but you can still get a shine on them.

To detect delamination, you have to feel the boat - press on it with the palm of your hand. If it flexes under moderate pressure, it's delaminated.

Knocking on the hull works, too. A clear "knock"=firm; "thud"=delam.

Oxidation Removal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74sEyot5A_o

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