Hobie Cat Forums

Hi all, since we got our 2 AI's we have noticed that mine rarely gets any water in it, however Nigel regularly comes in after an hour sail with a couple of full buckets and this is with no weight in the boat. Since we have put electronics in the boats it has become more important to keep the hull dry, so we pressure tested the hulls. The twist and seals were fine as was everything else besides the bow hatch which was blowing lots of bubbles. On closer inspection we failed to find any significant flaws in the seal besides a little bit less rigidity than mine. Has any one else had this kind of trouble and how have you dealt with it?

Cheers

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The pressure test can't test the front hatch, so maybe that's your problem and maybe not.

I would dry out the hull and then use a hose to drench the front hatch every way you can think of then check if any water gets in. If not, keep looking for another leak. My most common "fatal" cracks were the front of the Mirage drive bay on the bottom of the hull. Other places to check are the scupper holes, the seat drain holes and seat peg "dimples".

I would be surprised, if when you did the pressure test, that you didn't find some other leaks. If you didn't, maybe more soapy water during another try, as I find lots of little leaks on every test.

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http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

I'll be interested in hearing the results of further testing

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Mickey
2011 AI Golden Papaya
2011 TI Golden Papaya

we tested everything, there were a few bubbles coming out of rudderlines and steering but nothing out of mirragedrive.

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For a definitive drive well test... mount the drive and place some pressure on the pedals. This will open any otherwise closed crack, if there was one.

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Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

Thanks Matt will do.

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Hi ChaosDave,

how did you go with your testing.

My AI takes on about 2L of water in rougher conditions but less than 200mL in calm conditions or just in straight Adventure mode. Given the absence of water on calm days / adventure days I think I can safely rule out any cracks in the hull below the waterline.

The bow hatch is the prime suspect but the mast collar is a close second given Hobie's aversion to silicone. Has anybody else managed to reduce the amount of water they collect on a good sailing day.

Cheers
Grant

I have complained ad nauseum about leakage into the AI hull.

The front hatch should not leak unless (1) the seals are bad or (2) you place something under the hatch bungee cords which distort the hatch cover. Of course, you cannot fill up the bow w/ so much gear that it pushes up on the front hatch and compromises the seal (item 1 above.)

A real test of the twist-n-seal hatches, is to simply leave your AI hull outdoors during a heavy rain, say 3" in an hour or 2, with the T-n-S hatches horizontal. Cover the front hatch w/ a plastic tarp. After the rain, check for water in the hull. That will tell you definitively if your T-n-S hatches are leaking. You may be very surprised.

Keith

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I sail: S FL, Key Largo, Everglades to Cape Romano, Ft Desoto, Cedar Key

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

holt

I have the same problem.

Light days no or verlittle water.

Sailing in winds that push meup to approx 4+ knots I can get flooded inside so I have to pump the stern out when landing as the AI can weigh a ton.

Bob jost ran another test. everything looks good leak wise (very minor) which is driving me nuts.

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Dan, maybe try a neoprene or plastic inside cover for the front hatch. That much water if not coming from a crack elsewhere would have to come in the front hatch I would think.

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http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

Well that's what I thought.

For the front hatch I did a hose test on power blast. No water!

Neoprene sounds like it might work. I think I could cut and glue some ( I made a wet suit once, but that was 50 some years ago.). But any suggestions for getting the pattern right?

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Use the cover as a template?

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http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

I seem to be getting more and more water inside my AI hull with every trip. I'll have to try some of these. How are you guys pressure testing the hull?

I use the exhaust from a small shopvac into the drain hole. I use a short piece of 1/2" plastic drip hose duct-taped to the vacuums hose. Excess air blows out the front hatch.

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http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

This article with a series of short videos provides a good demonstration of the technique for finding leaks.

http://www.akff.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=39461