Hobie Cat Forums

not sure where but if I find a leak what is the best way to fix it?
I am loosing some pressure- have to pump every 1-2 weeks but not completly.
wheels were stored over the winter and it looks like 1/3 of a pressure was lost

please give me some suggestions... those that work

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Cezar- 2004 Getaway, 2003 Bravo

Depends on which version of the tires you have and where the leak is.

Old version were vulcanized directly to the axle tube - no hub:


Newer ones have hubs:


In either case, pump them up and use soapy water to find the leak. Mark the leak with a silver Sharpie and wash the soap off thoroughly.

On the old version, leaks tend to be in two places - at the axle tube vulcanizing and the inflation valve. For the inflation valve, use an old inflation needle, plug it with glue and insert it into the valve. For the axle, smear some GOOP or other adhesive over the leak (depressurize the tire first). The axle leaks will come back - that's why the change to hubs.

For the hub version, you can insert a tube into the tire that will take care of any leaks. Don't know the exact size, but Google is your friend.

I think this is the tube I used:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/21x11-8-21X12-8-22X10-8-22X11-8-23X10-8-ATV-TUBE-NEW-/150791162347?pt=Motors_ATV_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item231bda89eb

If you have the one piece wheel/tire forget the tube. There is a type of injected tire foam used by industrial forklifts. I found a local tire shop that had it but ended up finding some 8" steel rims instead. The tire foam would probably make your wheels rather heavy.

Does anyone have any post ( I have searched) or insight on how to fix the old style wheels as described above?
I need to get my boat on the beach!!

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H16

Is it safe to assume you have gone through the process of locating the leak? Where exactly is it? If you're lucky, it could be a simple shell puncture which could be remedied with a simple bicycle tube patch kit. Beyond that I can't help you. I have the newer-style wheels.

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Irie, mon....
'82 Hobie 18 SE with '85 Nationals Prism (White) sails
'73 Laser HID# 3463

You can buy a set of inner tubes from Catsailor.com. They're a bit pricey at $30 per tube, but that solution beats all others that I've seen. Go to http://store.catsailor.com/pc/viewPrd.a ... tegory=287 and click on the drop-down box at the bottom of the page. Then click on innertubes. I bought some of these for an old set of Trax (my tires had new style hubs) and they hold air. I've been very satisfied. I had a lawnmower repair shop install the tubes.

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Mark Van Doren
Division 9 Chairman
H20 #647
H14 #47787
H16 #112205

But you can't do that with the old tires that don't have hubs.

The only way to fix them is to:
* Locate the leak
* Use an adhesive (Goop or similar) smeared over the leak location
* Repeat often (since the leak will come back, especially if it's on the axle vulcanization)

You are correct, my tires are the newer style. Cezar never followed up to tell us what kind of tires he's got.

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Mark Van Doren
Division 9 Chairman
H20 #647
H14 #47787
H16 #112205

Like any trouble shooting routine, you eliminate the problem why knowing what works and zero in on what does not.

I bought a used Trax cart when I bought my 2011 Wave. The dealer (who runs a sailing school and knows this gear inside out) mentioned to me, in case of a flat or escaping air) to replace the tube valves as sand and other 'stuff' can ruin these valves.

Even if that is not your issue, this may be something that you need to keep an iball on.

(Cezar, kindly keep in mind that asking for advice on any Forum is a crap shoot. Nobody will steer you intentionally in the wrong directions as we all have a vested interest in our boats and what we say here. However, feedback from you as a result of our efforts would be appreciated...), how else are we going to help you, or anyone else??)

Regards
Tri

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Always looking for ways to make good things 'Gooder'

I have some Roleez wheels on my kayak cart. They use the basketball style of valve.
When they spring leaks, mostly due to prickly pear thorns, I use Fix a Flat. I screw a basket ball needle into the hose on the can and give the tire a shot. The sealant oozes out of the leaks. Make sure the needle is ALL the way in! Spin the tire for a while to spread the sealant evenly. Run the needle in and out of the valve a few times to clear the sealant so the valve doesn't glue shut.Remember to clean the needle. Hope this helps, GH