1985 Hobie 18 Replacement Part HELP

There is a U - shaped stainless steel "strap" with two holes in it (one at each end) that connects the bottom of the main sheet block assembly to the hole on the top of the traveler car assembly that somehow got twisted more than the 45 degrees it already came from from the factory with and it cracked and now won't let the quick release push pin that secures it all together fit in. It also has two more holes in it closer to the center of the U that the original owner put a one inch piece of string through to keep it from falling into the water when putting the push pin in and out and that is where the cracked part is and now there is less than 1/8 inch of strap to hold ALL of the force the main sail generates. The strap if stretched out is + or - 3 inches long and 3/4 inches wide. And it has SCHAFFER stamped onto the flat surface of the strap.

What is that part called and what is it's part number?

I looked through ALL my yearly Parts Guides and there is no picture of it.

And I can't find anyone who had this issue before in the Hobie Forum.

THANKS !!!
Irv

Hi Irv,
The shackle you describe is not standard. It is an after market Schaffer shackle and not necessary.
You simply need to purchase a standard 3/16” bow shackle from your local boat shop.
To quickly release the sail from the traveller car, I suggest releasing the sail clew from above the boom. That is the safest way when u have returned back to shore. That way the boom and mainsheet system and traveller car don’t flog around in the wind on the beach and potentially hit someone.

_________________
John Forbes
Hobie 18 Reimagined
Sail # 490
Boat name: 18@heart
http://www.hobie18.fun
https://www.facebook.com/Hobie18catamaran/

THAT is an Easy and Simple Fix !!!

THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Irv