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 Post subject: Handle grip dry rot?
PostPosted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 12:26 pm 
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Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Posts: 7
I'm going through hull handles like ... not quite as bad as toilet paper. The straps, particularly aft, just tear off the rubber grips after a year or so. I'm guessing the desert heat has something to do with it. (We've already established that the heat/dryness shrinks the sail bag.) I've considered the idea of replacing them with aluminum tubing bent and drilled to fit with the rubber grips slipped over the aluminum. Is there a reason that won't work?

Hobie Bravo designers, are you reading this?
Doug


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 Post subject: Re: Handle grip dry rot?
PostPosted: Mon Sep 27, 2010 11:18 pm 
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Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Posts: 7
I've taken some black boat cover strapping, doubled it and cut it to the length of the rotted out Hobie Bravo handles/straps. I rolled the ends and wrapped them in masking tape to make it easier to put them into the holes. Then I screwed them tight. We'll see how this arrangement lasts the season.
This is the first sailing vessel I've owned for which I've done so much design improvement. I don't know whether to thank Hobie or call them to account for missing so many opportunities.


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 Post subject: Re: Handle grip dry rot?
PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 9:08 am 
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Site Admin

Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:44 pm
Posts: 15027
Location: Oceanside, California
Sun is a killer for sure. How old is the boat? Handles like this are purchased from vendors and do seem to vary... and we have changed vendors.

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


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 Post subject: Re: Handle grip dry rot?
PostPosted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 10:37 am 
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Site Rank - Deck Hand

Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Posts: 7
We bought the Bravo March 16, 2007 from Ron Lane in San Diego. It was part of a group used in a sales exhibit on the beach there. Ron bought everything in the show when FastLane bought the Hobie dealership. I've been through four aft handles now, and the fore handles aren't looking too good. I bought the first replacements (handles 3 and 4) from Ron maybe a year ago. The Bravo sits out in the heat, but has always been covered by a UV rated West Marine boat cover. Aft handles probably take the greatest normal wear because there is nothing else to grab there. Ron has sent the fourth handle to Hobie for examination and possible replacement.


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 Post subject: Re: Handle grip dry rot?
PostPosted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 4:29 pm 
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Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2004 12:36 pm
Posts: 788
Location: Tri-Cities, WA
More like sun rot. We had the same problem. They are probably made out of nylon, not very sun resistant. Maybe they should be made from polyproplyene or dacron (duh). :wink:


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