Hobie turbo repair

[The Riddler]

Fix It Again Tuco

 

Big Bull again here with another repair question. I had a fat ass bass, bull it's way with power pro while my blades were tucked up. Nothing like pulling up a drive, undo a tangle, and still land it.

 

What is the best way to go about repairing ripped turbo blades?

[Jersey 609]

sent you a pm

[Chigger]

Is it a secret?

[EddyRider]

I would aquaseal it and place a small piece of tire tube from a bike on each side and clamp it tight until the aquaseal sets up. Its a flexible repair that will hold, scuff up the fin a little so that the aquaseal will adhere better.

[JKay]

Hey Riddler,

 

Same thing has happened to me with braid. You can repair those torn turbo fins with a soldering iron. Run the iron in little circles, back and forth across the tear and work your way from the back of the tear out to the edge. You're almost trying to melt a little bit of material and push it into the crack. Do one side first, let it cool completely, then do the other side. Go gently on the pressure. The material melts readily.

 

I've done several repairs like that and they're still holding. I would not mess around with glue or tape unless you take a chunk out your fins.

 

Good luck!

[The Riddler]

Hey Riddler,

 

Same thing has happened to me with braid. You can repair those torn turbo fins with a soldering iron. Run the iron in little circles, back and forth across the tear and work your way from the back of the tear out to the edge. You're almost trying to melt a little bit of material and push it into the crack. Do one side first, let it cool completely, then do the other side. Go gently on the pressure. The material melts readily.

 

I've done several repairs like that and they're still holding. I would not mess around with glue or tape unless you take a chunk out your fins.

 

Good luck!

 

Now that's what I am talking about.

 

I have duct tape on there right now but will be breaking out the soldering iron asap..Thanks.

[bjb]

I hit an obstruction w/the turbos and had the mast tear thru the fins. I'm trying 'Tear-Aid', looks like it may do the trick.

[Stargoat]

I hit an obstruction w/the turbos and had the mast tear thru the fins. I'm trying 'Tear-Aid', looks like it may do the trick.

 

 

Same thing has happened to me several times. I use an inner tube patch repair kit to fix mine. It has worked so far. I have also had to straighten the masts too many times. I am getting good at it unfortunately.

[JKay]

I hit an obstruction w/the turbos and had the mast tear thru the fins.

 

Been there too. For a while I thought I was becoming "The Master" at hammering my mirage drive against unseen obstructions. You can use the soldering iron fix on the mast tear thrus also. I've had to bend the shaft back a bunch of time. Always make me nervous that something is going to break when I do it. I've got the V2 with the threaded inserts. Still not totally comfortable bending that shaft back.

[The Riddler]

Thanks Jkay. Repair worked out great. I fused the rip then melted some of the hobie foot strap material on top and blended it in for some structure.

 

I think I will invest in that berkley hotwire soldering iron that I saw on sale for 20 bucks the other day. For the way I fish and high stick, I'm going to need it. Make repairs to the blades while on the water. It does not get any gayer then that. Just call me Zoro, "The Gay Blade."

[JKay]

Looking good Riddler! Glad it worked out. Good idea on beefing up the area with extra material; probably no downside.

 

I've tried to be more diligent about tucking my fins up against the hull when fighting fish, particularly when I'm using braid. To be honest, my worst tear in my fin happened fighting a bluefish in Raritan Bay and both fins were sticking straight down like twin daggerboards. Comment to self after that...stupid idiot!!