I have two questions regarding a Hobie 17
1. have a 89 Hobie 17 and some of the local folks recommend I rip out (in small pieces) the foam in the hulls and replace with the foam noodles. The plastic used to cover the existing foam has disintegrated into lots of small pieces. Is replacing the foam with noodles a good idea and if so how many noodles are necessary?
2. Anyone have a used set of racing rudders for the 17 they are willing to sell? The holes in my current rudders are in slightly different places.
Thanks,
Thanks,
Joe
The plastic sheeting is there only to protect the foam from resin fumes during the manufacturing process. I would not recommend removing the old foam unless it is severely waterlogged or breaking up.
The foam is the only thing that keeps the boat afloat in the event a hull fills with water.
What's wrong with your existing rudders? Pick the one that works the best and use it as a template to drill the other one after filling the old holes in it. (Use a drill press to make sure the holes are drilled straight through.)
IIRC, the noodles weight more than the foam thats in there right now. The reason they suggested noodles is because they are easy to fit through deck portholes. If your foam has lost its plastic covering, it will start to erode away over time, therefore losing your positive buoyancy. So noodles would be better than nothing.
Can't help you with the rudders, only got one set myself 