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PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:17 am 
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Joined: Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:39 am
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Location: Bairnsdale, Victoria Australia
Whilst in my lateral thinking mode, I was pondering on the common problem most of us are experiencing with the plastic seat plugs slipping out whilst we are using our boats.
It occured to me that Mr. Windsurfer had a similar problem when they brought out their first batch of windsurfers in the early 70's. The mast was retained in position on the deck with the means a plastic plug attached to the end of the mast which inserted into a slot in the board. Worked ok but used to slip out from time to time. Solution.. :idea: :idea: Windsurfer produced the next batch of plugs out of timber being teak I believe. Soon as they got wet they swelled slightly providing a neat firm fit with no more unwanted releases. The windsurfer skins were a plastic and just as slippery as polyethelyne so why arn't we doing the same.
The dimensions of the existing plastic plugs are 17mm diameter by 29mm in length. Not sure if common hardwood dowel comes in 17mm but am going to check tomorrow. If so, drill a hole down the centre and attach using same hardware and problem solved. Could be an idea to do the fix on the hull inserts to beef them up a bit at the same time to ensure the plug holes can take any extra pressure but I have already previously done mine .....Pirate :wink:


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PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:48 am 
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Location: South Florida
This problem has been discussed at length a couple times. Check out the link: http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=9421&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Keith

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PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 12:41 pm 
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Joined: Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:04 pm
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Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
I push them in really hard with my thumb when setting up the boat an they never have been a problem since the First time. Peoples suggestions on here fixed it for me

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PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 12:49 pm 
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Location: Bairnsdale, Victoria Australia
Element, well maybe I just haven't been brutal enough though I have pressed as hard as my thumbs would allow.
Chekika, I personally dont go for glueing as it is a 'permanent' arrangement and I car-top the boat inverted and it will drip salt water all the way home on the car. Teflon tape is fine but would need to be re-taped often.
I will retry pushing harder with an appropriate device next sail, and if that doesn't work, I will make up two timber plugs..Pirate


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PostPosted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 9:36 pm 
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Location: Escondido
I think if you'll simply tap them in as Matt Miller suggests, your problem should vanish. Give it a try. 8)


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PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 4:15 am 
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Location: Bairnsdale, Victoria Australia
Thanks guys for the input. I did try what Matt suggested but they seem to find their way out. Seems that boats must vary a bit and some seat plugs hold whilst others dont. I also looked at the other suggestions but dont want to screw the seat on an off, and the idea of gluing, or lacing leaves me cold.
I did solve my problem a slightly different way than I intended. I simply tapped in timber hardwood dowels (12 1/2 mm I think is the diameter) into the internals of the plastic plug. It is a neat fit but does not stress the plastic plug in the slightest. Also as mentioned prior I have strengthened the boat from the inside where the plugs are inserted as per others threads so as not to cause any cracks. The timber swells oh so slightly when wet and sufficient to grip the boat beautifully. Was out in 20 to 30 knots today and the seat stayed in place...Pirate :wink:


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PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:57 am 
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Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2008 4:07 pm
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Location: CLEARWATER, MN
I happened to stop at my local Hobie AI dealer yesterday...he
stated that he and several customers have had similar problems with
the seat plugs popping out.
His solution (which seemed to work for him) was to take a plastic
bag and cut two small squares out of the bag...pull them around the plugs
and insert the seat.
I seems that this increases the diameter of the seat plug just enough to
get it to stay in the plug holes. The plastic to plastic doesn't cause
any wear between parts. The plastic wrap will come off when
the seat is removed for storage.
Different bags have different thicknesses...so use the bag that works
with your seat.

The only downside is that you need to use two new squares when you
use the seat again.


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PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 1:27 pm 
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Joined: Thu May 17, 2007 4:43 am
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Location: Seal Beach California
could somebody please send me the link to strengthing the hull internaly were the seat plugs in
thanks,
Mike


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PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 1:36 pm 
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Mike,

Look up posts by Kayaking Bob (Reconlon). He simply got some pvc caps of appropriate size, put glue in them, and slapped them over the seat plug holes (protrusions) inside the boat--put a little pressure on them until the glue sets firmly (at least that is what I did following Kayaking Bob's suggestion.)

Keith

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"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

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PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 5:37 pm 
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Location: Seal Beach California
Thank you very much for the path
Mike


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PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:50 pm 
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Location: Bairnsdale, Victoria Australia
I tried a fancy plasic glue first off without success. Now my pvc caps are glued in with silicone. Just fill the cap and push in to the 'nipple' with boat inverted to allow gravity to assist. Grabs well and supports that part of the boat....Pirate


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PostPosted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:10 pm 
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Joined: Fri Jan 05, 2007 9:21 pm
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Location: Central Florida
Not one of my posts :)
Probably one of Yakaholic or Roadrunner's
This problem, I have not had...

(yet!)


Kayaking Bob


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PostPosted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:12 am 
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Location: South Florida
Yes, I think it was Yakaholic's suggestion. Thanks for the correction.

Keith

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon


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PostPosted: Fri May 08, 2009 11:09 am 
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Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:00 pm
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Location: Wallkill, NY
What about putting some small strips of tape on the plugs? wouldn't that solve the issue?

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andy


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PostPosted: Fri May 08, 2009 1:21 pm 
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Joined: Sat Apr 28, 2007 11:59 pm
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Location: Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia
My plugs used to pop out when I twisted in the seat to monkey with stuff in the rear deck, or when climbing in.
Then one day they got sand in the holes and a few hours pedalling scored the plugs and holes so they were now not smooth but rough, the seat has never come out accidentally since.

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