Prindle 16 - The top of my beach cat pontoons buckled when I walked on them

Posted by SkiDaderino@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 20 comments

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PracticalConjecture@reddit

It's a common weak point in catamarans of that era.

Hobie 16s have the same issue, and there are resources out there regarding how to fix.

If you don't fix it, you risk hitting a wave and having the front fall off.

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FredIsAThing@reddit

If you don't fix it, you risk hitting a wave and having the front fall off.

That's not typical, I'd just like to make that point perfectly clear.

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FredIsAThing@reddit

Well some of them are built so that the front doesn't fall off at all!

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unbelievablyquick@reddit

Mine was insanely soft, and I took it in some 3ft beach waves... Did fine. They're solidly built, just don't walk on the pontoons

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FredIsAThing@reddit

Obviously, yours wasn't built with cardboard or cardboard derivatives.

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FredIsAThing@reddit

So they didn't use rigorous maritime engineering standards?

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Federal_Cobbler6647@reddit

Its on lake/sea. Change of million it will hit a wave.

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Chewy-Seneca@reddit

I dont fix boats but i fix other big composite things, you should repair that if you crunched it, if its sandwich structure its probably delaminated.

Those hulls will probably fold at some point otherwise, cant imagine there is a whole ton of safety margin on those.

Maybe look up the glass weight and try to match it so you dont create a big load riser, breaking more stuff at the edges of your repair?

Idk, I dont fix boats, id like to learn however so somebody near TN lemme know 😅

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Far-Midnight-3304@reddit

Soft decks, cut 9” ports to get inside and reinforce and make some storage space

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That's an interesting idea. I had considered finding some way to add bulkheads inside that would allow me to step on the surface of the hull in order to set up the jib. Cutting and installing hatches may allow me to do that.

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SkiDaderino@reddit (OP)

Good advice, I have cross-posted to that sub, too.