Solid Hulls with cracks???

I've just bought a my second 16 in three months(I'm sick). My questions is this...it's a 87' and the hulls seem very solid (decks and sides) with no soft spots and the bottoms seem like they've never hit the beach. The previous owner said there had been no repairs and I believed him since I only paid $500 for the boat w/great trailer. They are a little more than hair line cracks on the outer deck where the non-skid area meets the smooth area intermititedly along the hull. It is only on the outer edge. At first, I suspected the decks were soft once and had been repaired. Is this just a weather thing? Is it a sign of soft things to come? What is the repair for such cracks?



If there were a Hobie wing at the Betty Ford Clinic, I'd be there!

Solid hulls with small cracks in gelcoat? Sail it and if it gets worse fix it. If not, have fun!

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Jeff
Hobie 18 "Blue Jeanne"

Sailing it and having fun are givens. I just didn't think you could have one without the other, I mean cracks without delamination. I want to actually fix this cosmetically and was wondering what worked best?

I have an 88 model with the same problems. the cracks are nothing to worry about. Over the past 5 years I haven't found anything to fix the cracks well, so it's best to leave it alone and worry more about enjoying the boat.

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On the second Hobie 16. Current sail #90882

Cosmetic cracks - this is what is called crazing.

Some gel coats were likely more brittle over the years. Possibly thinner too. I would not be too concerned. This is an area that gets flexed where the glass is quite durrable, but the gelcoat could not keep up.

You should be able to hide the cracks by dripping thinned gel coat into them and wiping off the excess.

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

I also have this crazing on the top of my hulls. What is the gel coat thinned with?

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87 hobie 18