On my new 16, on the starboard hull basically directly below the front pylon on the outside, side of the hull about in the middle there is what looks like a large depression. Now when I first got the boat I was surprised at how "wavy" the gelcoat was. Just not what I expexcted. My question is: is this something that would be normal? Is it something that comes up when laying the fibreglass. I'm not worried about the durability or longevity of the hull, (I will sell the boat next season anyway). More or less curious as to why. I keep forgeting to show it to the dealer when I see him and have the boat. You really can't see it unless you look at it at an angle so its not that severe

Some deformation in that area is typical. There is a "shoe" structure bonded into the hull as a receiver for the bottom end of the pylon. This as the resin kicks it gets warm and can deform the area a little. The "wavy" gel coat though? I would have to see a photos to understand that.

I was just expecting it to be flat like an auto paint job would be. When you look at it, it's like a mirror. There is distortion in the reflection that I figured came with time, but it wasn't any better than my old boat.

Hand laid fiberglass curing... production molds... cloth "print through"? The fiberglass molding process can typically cause some inperfections at many levels. Heat from the resin cure. Hard to say what is normal without seeing it.

I'll take a picture and post it as soon as I find my boats. They're burried in a shed, and its still flippin cold here. Been waiting for some rain to get salt/sand off the roads so I can tow em home.

This pic you can see the distortion of the hull in the reflection of the beam of the trailer.

This pic you can really see it. I moved into the shade. The dent can be felt with your hand, and really the pictures don't do it justice. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> The "crease" goes from under the lip of the deck all the way to the bottom.

I haven't hit anything with this boat. I'm very protective, I usually float the cat-trax under it before I even nose it onto the beach.

I have one exactly the same on my 2006 Hobie 16 only on the insde of the hull.If I knew how to post picture I would post it

Pretty hard to see without the right lighting, but yes, looks like a vertical line. May be related to gluing, shipping... who knows. I forwarded on to my glass expert for possible comment.

i dont think its anything to be worried about. it looks new enough that there isnt anything structurally wrong with the fiberglass

Newbie- That's part of my issue. It's brand new. I didn't notice it at first, but I'm guessing it's always been there. The boat is now 8 1/2 months old, or at least I've had it for 8 1/2 months. Probably nothing to be concerned with as far as failure goes, but cosmetically it is a bit of an eye sore. It's something you look for and at when buying a used boat, but not something that you even think about when picking up your brand new one. It'll be gone at the end of next season anyway to make way for an 09'

Karl, how is it that you get a new boat every few years?

oh... sorry, wasnt quite sure how new you were talking about. but i do see your point, it might be something that would deter a buyer. but i think a smart consumer wouldnt mind it much, or notice it. but what about giving it a good coat of wax?

I'm self employed, very good at what I do, and get paid very well for it. I live cheap: i.e. no wife, no kids, no mortgage. So I blow wads of cash on things that I enjoy.

Tact-less promotion <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ---> Need any kitchen cabinets or fine custom furniture?

Newbie- Just dug em outta storageand they are filthy. It was very well waxed last year, and as soon as I can they will be washed and re-waxed for this year. I had to clean the area just so it would stand out properly.

Our glass guy says it can't be a molded in issue. More likely a slight compression from something. Like I mentioned before... could be freight damage, drug something across it, rubbed against something. Someone climbing on board after a capsize may have rubbed their trap hook against it. Can't really say, but not something that is structural.

No, but I might need a beat up old '06 H16 with unsightly imperfections in the hulls in say late '08 <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

There's no scratch to go along with a trap hook digging in. Someone climbing on board? Standing on the hull shouldn't cause anything like that either. Shipping damage possibly, but this boat has been babied, and really barely sailed last summer. (2-3 rec sails, and 4 regatta's)I picked it up in July and was swamped with work till the snow flew. I'm not trying to be a dick, or sound like one either. I'm also not trying to exploit HC for a new hull. It's tough not sounding over defensive about these things when conversing in this format. I was just hoping there was a simple answer like: "We had a run of about a 100 hulls that had that same issue and we will sell you one at half price. It's caused by the whatsit, being too tight on the thingy during the something process". I wouldn't buy a new hull anyway. Like I said before I'm not concerned with the structural integrity of the hull, its just an ugly flaw. Thanks for checking into it for me Matt.

,Karl

i could use a free new catamaran, you could put your company logo on it and call it "sponsership" and you may be able to get a tax write off ^_^

My next boat will be sponsored and written off. Along with travel expenses. Well maybe not travel expenses, sounds like an invitation for auditing. Blake, I'll have to think real hard about adding a second boat to the "team" <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />