I have a problem with the frame on my 1986 Hobie 16. While sailing, there is a LOUD squeek / rubbing of metal where the front starboard pylon fits into the corner casting. When in still water, you can straddle the starborad pontoon facing the trampoline and wiggle (very slightly) the pontoon - you can see SLIGHT movement where the pylon goes into the corner casting. The problem is that the movement makes a VERY loud and annoying grinding sound while sailing and especially when on a starboard windward tack . I have tightened the bolt/nut and the stabalizer bar as much as possible. What can I do to rid this noise? Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks.
DUCT TAPE..... No really ... pull the tramp completely off the pilon then wrap the pilon at the top with a few layers of duct tape then poke holes throught the tape for the bolts to go through.. I had the same problem the casting as a little larger than the pilon and it rattled around in there. Structurally it doesn't mean a thing but it does create annoying sounds when everything shifts around as it tends to do when you are sailing at breakneck speeds. all it needed was a little gasket in there to snug it up so I wrapped some duct tape in there and popped the tram frame back on and voila no more problem.. every season I take the frame off and redo it as preventative maintenance but other than that it worked like a charm. Quick and easy.
Tightening the pylon bolts won't help much with the problem you've described.
The corner castings begin to wear and allow the pylons to wiggle in the castings. Also, the holes in the pylons begin to wear in an oblong or somewhat elliptical fashion, so the hull is allowed to move up and down as the bolts become less effective with time.
Eliminating the slop will get rid of the noise and make the boat go faster.
The more common procedures to eliminate the play, start by taking the frame apart and replacing any loose pop-rivets in the corner casting. There are quite a few posts in this forum and articles in the archives of 'On the Wire' which describe methods to epoxy the pylons to the frame. You might take a look at: http:/