Loud crack

Hey Guys,

Out for the first heavy air on my new to me '81 H18 and was concerned by a loud crack from the mast base area during a few of the heavier gusts. Out in lighter air today and observed the mast base and dolphin striker shifting just slightly fore and aft. Not sure if that's a new development or if I simply never noticed. It's a four rivet mast base but it isn't sitting flush with the crossbar. Perhaps a disassembly and fresh rivets are in my future?

Could be or could just be the ball broke. Either way I;d guess it's time to drop the mast and have a look-see.

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The ox is slow but the earth is patient

It's not uncommon for the boats to creak and groan occasionally, but generally speaking, loud cracking sounds are not good. I would give the whole boat a thorough inspection (not just the mast base area because occasionally sounds have a tendency to come from somewhere other than where you think you heard them).

If your dolphin striker is loose, it could have been your front crossbar cracking, so I'd give the crossbar a real good inspection (maybe even remove it from the boat). Also check the crossbar anchor points and shroud anchor points on the hulls, check the mast and rudder connection points. A loud cracking sound is a warning that there is a part somewhere that is probably getting ready to fail.

sm