Hello to those who have wings on their H18s.
I've had this 1989 H 18 for about 8 years. Twice, I've unpinned the wings to raise them into the stow position, and twice, the strut falls off. The entire weld around the strut just lets go.
Anyone else have this issue... is there a way to prevent? Should I just have a welder go back over all the weldments to prevent future failures? I'm a fresh water sailor, but have taken her to the beach a few times.
These wings are labeled "Formula Wings".

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Tim Young
Hobie 18' + other stuff that floats and goes.
Kentucky
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I had a welder fix and beef up the welds on my H18 wings after I them a few years ago. They seem sturdy so far. If you really want to strengthen them, weld on a gusset plate or a strut to tie the support leg into the main leg.

Otherwise, make sure that the wings are adjusted so the support struts line up properly with the outboard stainless tabs and try not to pull on the wings when moving the boat around.

sm

timscottyoung

Hello to those who have wings on their H18s.
I've had this 1989 H 18 for about 8 years. Twice, I've unpinned the wings to raise them into the stow position, and twice, the strut falls off. The entire weld around the strut just lets go.
Anyone else have this issue... is there a way to prevent? Should I just have a welder go back over all the weldments to prevent future failures? I'm a fresh water sailor, but have taken her to the beach a few times.
These wings are labeled "Formula Wings".

i would suggest a welder add a tab between the strut and the frame. This will help minimize movement of the strut and break the welds loose.

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Scott

Prindle Fleet 2
TCDYC

Prindle 18-2 Mod "FrankenKitty"
Tornado Classic "Fast Furniture"
Prindle 19 "Mr. Wiggly"
Nacra 5.8 "De ja vu"
Nacra 5.0
Nacra 5.8
Tornadoes (Reg White)
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Quote

weld on a gusset plate or a strut to tie the support leg into the main leg.

Quote

i would suggest a welder add a tab between the strut and the frame.

Do either of you know the Aluminum Alloy of the wings. Guessing the plate/tab alloy needs to match my wings.
Thanks, Tim

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Tim Young
Hobie 18' + other stuff that floats and goes.
Kentucky
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timscottyoung

Hello to those who have wings on their H18s.
I've had this 1989 H 18 for about 8 years. Twice, I've unpinned the wings to raise them into the stow position, and twice, the strut falls off. The entire weld around the strut just lets go.
Anyone else have this issue... is there a way to prevent? Should I just have a welder go back over all the weldments to prevent future failures? I'm a fresh water sailor, but have taken her to the beach a few times.
These wings are labeled "Formula Wings".

Your boat is 33 years old, nothing holds up forever, and there is a weight limit as well.

timscottyoung

Do either of you know the Aluminum Alloy of the wings. Guessing the plate/tab alloy needs to match my wings.
Thanks, Tim

I'd guess 6061-T6. Common alloy for corrosive environments and it is weldable.

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Bryan in Poplar Grove, IL
Supercat 17, unknown year. Future project
Hobie 16, 1977 - died a spectacular death https://youtu.be/Y7O22bp2MVA
Hobie 16, 1978 - current boat
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yup, 6061, T-6 temper. About all Hobie specified. Unusually, they have made all that old tech data public. Gotta give Hobie props for that. I mean supporting boats that are a quarter of a century old or more???!!! Pretty cool.

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Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
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