Hobie Cat Forums

So here in MD we do a good amount of fishing right up against structure, pilings, bridges, and ships (Kiptopeke). Barnacles and shells can do a pretty good butchery on the plastic. Does anyone have any mod they use to protect against this abrasion.

My thoughts:

1. Truck Bed-Liner

2. Thin AlumStainless plate alond the side

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Matt Baden

CBKA Director
http://www.cbkainc.com
http://www.thehobielife.blogspot.com



Overboard Fishing Rods, AFTCO, and Settles Bridge Supply House Prostaff
2011 Yellow Pro Angler

Very interested what people have to say. Scratching a PA's hull is due to the cost.

Check this one out. You may know this guy.

http://youtu.be/D9w--lpwP48

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2011 HPA
2006 Wildy Ride 135

I do know Joe. His Idea is good, and we've had this thread on our Maryland forum so I was hoping to get some ideas from elsewhere.

I was looking for something a little more permanant and only have to install once, the duct tape idea does need to replaced periodically as it rips.

Thanks for trying to look something up..

_________________
Matt Baden

CBKA Director
http://www.cbkainc.com
http://www.thehobielife.blogspot.com



Overboard Fishing Rods, AFTCO, and Settles Bridge Supply House Prostaff
2011 Yellow Pro Angler

I'm down here in VA Beach. I really enjoy his posts. I don't have a PA yet but I am drooling over the boat. I already sold two of mine to save up for this boat I know I will want to make this boat last almost a lifetime.

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2011 HPA
2006 Wildy Ride 135

I wish I was closer the VA Beach, I love fishing down that way sooo many species that we don't get up in the mid bay area.

I think I'm leaning toward armor (thin stainless sheet) to cover the front and back corners of the PA as those seemed to be the most common bumping point for me.

_________________
Matt Baden

CBKA Director
http://www.cbkainc.com
http://www.thehobielife.blogspot.com



Overboard Fishing Rods, AFTCO, and Settles Bridge Supply House Prostaff
2011 Yellow Pro Angler

If you were to install some sort of rub railing, such as what most car doors have on them, you could allow it to take the bumps and bangs instead of your hull. In fact, maybe a car side railing is exactly the part you need. Some are installed with adhesive and would be a simple matter to install on your PA.

Tom

Matt needs it to combat rubbing against pilings and bulkheads not bumps as much ......... the Kipto Ships REALLY did a number on his PA when we were down there this weekend .......... Barnacles REALLY scuffed 1 corner and took a bunch of plastic ........... wouldn't take many trips to wear a hole with the combat fishing he does .......... he's trying to find something to stand up to the barnacles ....... they are sharp and tough

Any ideas ?

I've fished CBBT and HRBT...those barnacles are a pain in the you know what. Fortunately, I didn't care with my ride 135 or with my OK...but with a PA...considering the costs, I would crap bricks if I came back to the launch with the scratches I incurred with the others. I am looking forward to seeing what can be done.

A friend of mine recommended sewing somesort of skirt for the boat that can be deployed and removed as necessary. Leather was recommended but I am sure the cost would be an issue.

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2011 HPA
2006 Wildy Ride 135

Short of skinning the entire hull exterior with something hard, I'm not sure you can effectively protect against barnacles. Maybe some sort of extended rail along the gunwhale top to keep the boat completely off the stuff holding the barnacles.

Okay, I have an idea. Some years ago I bought a pair of kevlar carving gloves. They're not very thick, and are mesh like in appearance. But you'll never cut your hand while wearing one. Even the sharpest blade can't cut the material. I can rake the blade right across my palm, under pressure (was spooky at first) and it simply won't cut or go through the material.

So, if you could source an amount of this material, you could skin the hull sides with it. It wouldn't weigh much and I don't think it'll absorb water. And there isn't a barnacle that could hope to cut through it. Light, thin, tough and not overly expensive, I don't think. Could be worth a shot.

Tom I was actually thinking asking those lines, but the cost of kevlar is quite pricey...at least for body armor.

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2011 HPA
2006 Wildy Ride 135

It wouldn't be body armor stuff - it'd be the open mesh type. Far less expensive but you still couldn't cut along or through it. At best you might get a little piece of something to poke through one of the small openings, but that'd be about it.

I got a 3" by 4' piece of diamond plated stainless and cut into 4 pieces I added the front corners tonight, looks good, will finish and post some pics tomorrow.

_________________
Matt Baden

CBKA Director
http://www.cbkainc.com
http://www.thehobielife.blogspot.com



Overboard Fishing Rods, AFTCO, and Settles Bridge Supply House Prostaff
2011 Yellow Pro Angler

Please post those pics. I can't picture what like would look like. How did you secure it?

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2011 Olive Hobie Revo

Wow!!! Excited to see how ot looks and works.

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2011 HPA
2006 Wildy Ride 135