Installing silicone rubber mesh to replace Hobie net pockets.Following the initial idea from Josh (of yakass.net)
The Hobie net pockets have been coming apart at the stitching along the top (all four pockets on my TI) also the bungee cord getts loose.
I have re stitched on my Adventure Island and they lasted for a few years. But the biggest hastle is they are also particularly prone to getting hooks stuck in them.
Well my first attempt with using square plastic coated mesh (which came from the ends of an old dive gear bag) was a bit of a failure because it did not stretch at all.
SO when I broke the handle on my Berkley kayak net (by driving over it with the trailer) it was a perfect opportunity to try this.
The Berkley net mesh is large hexagonal holes which is quite loose and stretchy so was a bit of a pain to lay out and cut neatly to fit. I taped it down to a bit of cardboard to get it right on the Hobie pocket frame.
Next: I cut the ends of the mesh to fit neatly over each of the little tabs in the Hobie mesh pocket frame, and then used a few dabs of superglue to hold the ends down in place.
Then I fitted the backing plate part of the mesh pocket frame and held it together tightly as the superglue set. This was a bit fiddly but I clamped a flat bit of wood to either side of the frame to hold it together and it worked well.
Tadaaaaaaaaa one pocket done (three more to go).
I threaded the original Hobie pocket bungee cord through the top row of the mesh and left the top loops to hook over the middle thingy on my Adventure.
It stretches really well and returns to shape.
I might add stronger bungee later if needed and I might trim off the extra top loops if they get in the way, but for now they seem good to attach gear leash clips.