Demasting - Broken Shroud Anchor Pin

This weekend I became a more experienced sailor. Had the mast come down in 10 knots of wind with a medium chop on my early 80s H18. Glad it was not blowing harder for a change. After our heats returned to a normal rate and we were pretty sure we hadn't soiled ourselves we pulled it all together, got the mast and sails on board and were pretty pleased with the end result. Mast and sails seem to have suffered no damage. At first we thought we had a broken shroud, but upon inspection we discovered that an anchor pin had snapped at the hull. Does anyone know if this is common?

I know that the rigging needs to be replaced from time to time, but this surpises me. Do others replace the anchor pins along with new rigging? There does not appear to be any unusual wear on the part. We do sail regularly on a heavy chop and stor the boat mast up most of the summer.

Also damaged was the main sheet traveler, we were sheeted in tight and the boom did try to take the traveler out of the track and the bottom of the mast whacked the FWD cross bar and put a silver dollar sized dimple in the top of the extrusion. Anyone have any advice on the cross bar? With this dent make it prone to folding in half when flying a hull in heavy air?

Yes, unfortunately this failure is a little too common. Many people that have sailed the 18 for a while have had it happen or at least know someone it has happend to. Do a search, there are several discussions regarding H18 anchor pin failures on this site. It's the same pin that's used on the 16 & 17, but due to the higher loads, the 18 seems to be most susceptible to anchor pin failure.

The only real inspection that you can do is to pull the pin out of the hull and see if it's bent. Even then, you really don't know for sure. It's best to replace them regularly (like when you do your shrouds). If your pins were original from the early 80's, then you were due for a replacement.

It would be good if Hobie or an aftermarket company developed a beefier anchor pin for the 18 as this is a part that 'should' never fail.

sm

My dealer reports an anchor pin failure is the #1 reason for a dismast. Welcome to the club.

I think that the reason it is the most common failure is that people don't replace them with the regularity that they replace the wires. And logically, to me at least it's a fat bolt looking thing, it should be tough and last. But once bent it's no good, stainless work hardens and becomes brittle...Replace them!! I haven't gone on my annual rigging replacement tirade yet this season, maybe it's time? Naw, just search around, it's all here somewhere.

Happy sailing!

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Thanks all for all the quick feedback. Should I be concerned with the battle scar on the forward cross bar or just sail it?

Interesting idea. Nevertheless, it's a part of the standing rig on a dynamic, rotating mast and should be changed periodically. This failure was on an almost 30 year old boat. That's pretty good service life if you ask me. Check them every year, change them, what, every 5 to be safe?

I agree that there are plenty of parts on the boat that require routine maintenance, but my opinion is that parts like shroud anchor bolts can and should be made bomb proof and virtually never require replacing. In general, most boats don't require major structural fittings like these to be replaced. For example, the crossbar bolts, the dolphin striker, and many other fittings are designed to last the life of the boat. The anchor pin is what, 5/16" diameter? If someone re-designed a replacement part that was bumped up one size to say 3/8", it would have close to 50% more strength and likely never need replacing.

Anyway, probably a moot point. Just pay your $50 for a new pair every few years and keep your fingers crossed.

sm

The current pins are highly advanced as compared to past years. They are far less prone to failure. No need to replace "every few years".

Biggest change is how the threads are made. They are now rolled rather than cut. The grade of stainless is also much better. They have been this way for several years.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

That makes a lot of sense (rolling being better than cutting) so I feel better about that. Any thoughts on the small shallow dent in the forward crossbar being a stuctural problem or not?

I can't say for sure, but the beams are pretty solid. Not a lot of issues with H18 crossbars.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Great, Thanks. I was not too worried about it, but thought a sanity check couldn't hurt.

Matt Miller,

In a previous thread you shared a tip about the correct orientation of the shroud anchor pin.

If I could find it, I would repost it here. If you know where it is, or remember the verbage, this might be a good time and place to repost that information.

Stephen

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If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

There ya go anawrocki, and anyone else that has had, or is worried about having this particular problem.
It may not totally cure or eliminate the problem, but it should reduce the frequency of occurrence.

Stephen

_________________
If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, maybe it is time to water your own lawn.

Funny how this subject comes up every 8 mos or so.Replace them!!!!!!!If you have someone doing the wildthing when it breaks you have a way bigger problem if they are not quick.
shawn