Hobie Cat Forums

Now that im out of school i plan on adding ports to my 1983 hobie 16 and then restoring the color. I was wondering were people like their ports and how big they should be. i was thinking 5in and between the frame or behind the frame.
Thank you
optikid

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http://youtube.com/optikid16030

1983 Hobie 16 Cat fever #55697
2008 Laser Radial/4.7 #190471
S.S.S.
S.Y.S.P

Bump, should i not do it?

_________________
http://youtube.com/optikid16030

1983 Hobie 16 Cat fever #55697
2008 Laser Radial/4.7 #190471
S.S.S.
S.Y.S.P

Just about anywhere BEHIND the front pylon is OK. I'd also stay at least about a foot away from the shroud anchor. Also keep in mind that there is a large block of foam flotation between the front and rear pylons. Putting the port between the pylons will allow good ventilation for the hull, but may not provide a whole lot of space for storage because of this block.

sm

I wouldn't. What are your reasons for doing it? Is it storage? If so, don't it's not really worth it. Get a small waterproof box from a mart store and clip it to the tramp lacing close to the mast. Done. Please tell me what your thoughts are.

kinda for storage but i have a dry bag..... mostly to dry out the hulls.

_________________
http://youtube.com/optikid16030

1983 Hobie 16 Cat fever #55697
2008 Laser Radial/4.7 #190471
S.S.S.
S.Y.S.P

I've always wanted to hook up one of those mini dehumidifiers to the drain holes to draw out any moisture. It would probably create too much negative pressure because the vent tubes wouldn't be able to vent fast enough (assuming they aren't plugged up already). I would need to plug it into an outlet and let it run 24/7 though.

I used to have a sunfish that I dried out with 2 ports on the deck and a small fan blowing air through one end out the other. I would be worried about the structural integrity of a Hobie hull though.

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-Zach
Hobie 16 for sale
West Lafayette, IN (school)
Melbourne, FL (summer)

Ok. fair enough. I thought that everyone just drains the hulls. I didn't think it's that important to dry them out. Is it? I mean every boat has a small amount of water in the bilge. Right?

it just makes the boat lighter and i think i read before moisture can cause soft spots.

_________________
http://youtube.com/optikid16030

1983 Hobie 16 Cat fever #55697
2008 Laser Radial/4.7 #190471
S.S.S.
S.Y.S.P

Fiberglass resin can absorb water, so keeping the boat dry will go a long way towards keeping it light and preventing soft spots (moisture working it's way to the foam core will cause delamination). Installing port holes (and keeping them open whenever possible) is an excellent way to dry out the hulls and keep them that way. You can drain the water out with a drain plug, but you really can't keep the hull dry without a port because there will be very little air circulation through the hull.

sm

It would seem that if Hobie thought it were that important, they would install them at the factory.

I would love the storage, but don't think I could ever convince myself to cut holes in the top of my hulls.

Maybe I am just a wimp!

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Steve
1979 Hobie 16 "Orange Crusher"

Ummm, not really. I could see a lot of reasons for Hobie not doing it.

I'm not saying that port holes are required to stop soft spots from forming, but it is certainly possible for fiberglass to absorb moisture and over decades of being constantly exposed to a wet environment, it's pretty much a guarantee. The best way to keep the hulls dry is by allowing dry air to circulate through them and there's really no way to do that inless you install a port (the drain plug at the transom just isn't going to cut it for air circulation).

If you take the time to install the ports properly and in a suitable location, it can certainly be beneficial. Cutting the deck is a little freaky at first, but once you do it, you realize that it's really no big deal.

sm

My gudgeon bolts have gotten to the point that I need to run longer ones all the way through the transom and put fender washers and nylock nuts on from the inside of the hulls.

I was planning on using the 4" curved access hatches.

How close can these ports be installed to the transom without adverserly affecting the hulls structurally?

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Tim
82' H16
Sail # 88863
Panama City Beach, FL