Hobie Cat Forums

Hello all,

I just unwrapped my 2012 TI and am so excited to get it into the water and experience all the great features you all have been talking about. Unfortunately, the side of the hull on one side is deformed. I'm not certain if the vessel was stored on it's side during transportation or if this is just the luck of the draw when buying a rotomoulded creation. I will try to post a picture. The dents are about a half of an inch in from where the projected curve of the hull should be.



Thanks for your input.

Jerry

If it is a dent... the fix is fairly simple. Your dealer could do that for you.

http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=35313

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Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

Thanks Matt,

The video explains the process perfectly! I just installed a tankless water heater that can produce unlimited water at 165 degrees so that should do the trick. I appreciate the advice and I'll let you know how it goes.

BTW, I took the TI out for the first time on Christmas day out of Marina Del Rey and what a fine craft it is! Having read these forums extensively before making the purchase, I kept seeing all the little improvements that have come from these forums. Thanks for your extra work moderating these forums and implementing the little tweaks.

Jerry

Dude, that does not work in the new 2011 - 2012 IT. My new 2012 Ti came with dent on one side of the bow. I tried kettle of boiling water and the plastic is too hard, impossible to deform with this technique. I tried also with hot air blower to repair vehicle bumper and after a while I got very little to soften the plastic. But after three days of attempts and 6 hours spent my dent is on the site. Unfortunately my dealer do not want to pay for the damage that occurred in transit. Hobie should put an updated solution for new models with plastic composition much more resistant to heat.

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http://abisal12.com

Escalate to Hobie as your dealer is absconding from his responsibilities

I've had great success using Harbor Freight suction cups to remove poly kayak dents. I use with a heat gun. Hot water would also work if it can reach the spot.

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Support your local HOBIE dealer

Jerry - That looks very correctable. Maybe a little hard to reach. Air pressure/hotwater alone may not work. You may need a mallet, small dumbbell, bat, etc to push the heated dents from the inside.

dregsfan, most of the metal pullers I use have a short throw and require a fairly flat smooth surface to grip. I find that the sloping curves of the Hobie are not great for this (and make poor places for suction cup mounting systems). It has a better chance of working on the flat keelless bottom, though. A more flexible plunger could do the trick on the side.

Couple other clever tricks I've seen (Batcave):
- place a heated microwave pack inside the hull, slightly weight it or work it with your gloved hand.
- Use the sun. Place sandbags inside the hull and use a large mirror to reflect midday sun on the area. Leave for a couple days. Works great for bottom dents.

The summer sun will heat a red hull to over 130º F. Enough to bend a TI Ama.

Nohuhu,

i agree with the sun heat. I (we) have just come off winter in Oz. I forgot to open the hull and as My TI cooled I got a indent. Now the I have noticed it (I was getting it ready for the 1st sail of the season, I opened the hull and let the air in (woosh) then I sealed it back up and left it in the sun for 3hrs; as the pressure increased inside the hull the dint resolved.

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Paul, Rebecca & Stephanie

That's a very good seal on an Island!

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http://KayakingBob.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2007, 2009 & 2010 Hobie AIs and a 2010 TI

Well,

I did have a hole in it that the my dealer fixed.

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Paul, Rebecca & Stephanie