TI Bulkhead

Keith (Chekika) asked me how I installed a watertight bulkhead in my TI.

I made it out of 3" foam block available at my local kayak store. It is mini cell foam used to install bulkheads, make thigh pads, seats, etc. in kayaks. The location I picked is just aft of the mast, where the cockpit well starts. The Mirage well acts as a support for the back of the center piece.

The bulkhead is made from three sections. For each section I made a cardboard template. The center piece fits exactly between the keel groves. I had to slightly notch the middle for the Mirage well. First you dry fit the piece. Using a belt sander I shape the foam to a final tight fit.

The glue that I use is GOOP Plumbing Cement available at Home Depot. I used about three tubes. First I mark the dry position of the bulkhead inside the boat. Then I remove the foam and put ample amount of GOOP in the marked area and sides of the foam. This is messy. Don't worry, the Goop  can be pealed off once dry. Insert the foam and let it dry.

After the bulkhead piece is in, go back into the boat and work extra GOOP around the edges filling any gaps. GOOP smells like airplane cement. Use plenty of ventilation. Repeat several times until you get a nice fillet of glue all the way around. Reach behind the bulkhead and fill as much as you can before inserting the next foam piece.

The sides are made the same way. The back of the top needs to be profiled. Glue the three sections together.

Once you have all three parts in and glued from the front, the hard part is to reach through the round hatch and apply glue to the back. Long hands needed. This is a Hudini trick.

After I was satisfied that the bulkhead was watertight, I filled the front with water. Make sure you support the boat. You can spray with a hose also.

Newport 16 For Sale

I love my Newport 16, but lately I have not been able to spend much time on her. The boat has many improvements from the stock boat. So I have decided that it may be time to sell her to someone that has the time to enjoy this microcruiser.

So, if you are thinking about doing some coastal cruising but do not want to be tied to a marina or invest in a large tow vehicle look at this Newport 16. A very popular cruiser that can take you to hidden coves. With a 9" draft, will go where many others can not. 2 1/2 HP Outboard only used for less than two years. Many extras. 

$2,900

Located in Virginia Beach, VA. Call me at (757) 639-8453.

Hobie Tandem Island Bow Modifications

What do you do if you can not change the shape of your bow???

I have been playing with that idea on my TI:

1) I welded small strips of plastic at the bow. They were mainly there to control the spray coming off the nose. Added benefit is that they push the bow wave down and out adding some lift.

 

2) Once a bow completely submerges it has lost all of its reverse buoyancy. The water pressure on top act to push the bow down further. Second mod is a small hurricane bow in front of the hatch. The shape is pitched forward to throw the the water out to the side.

Both design changes depend on the boat having forward motion. If the boat starts to stall, turn up wind. That always pops the boat back up. Then turn right back and the boat takes off like a bat out of hell. During the EC, I noticed that the new rudder is very responsive for this move.

Newport 16 For Sale

I have been so involved with Watertribe that last year I did not use my Newport 16, Lucky Dog at all. With a sailboat, Hobie Tandem Island and three other kayaks I am getting boat top heavy. My wife seldom goes out with me now and she prefers short day trips. I am thinking of getting a Hobie Adventure Island for the next Watertribe event. So, it saddens me, but the reality is that something has to go.

The boat has a lot of improvements from the stock Newport 16. The engine is a couple of years old with low running hours. I will post more details as I get the time.

So if you are looking for a nice microcruiser, small enough to tow with a small car (1100 lb tow weight) then drop me a line...