Help using Mast Stepper 2

Purchased Hobie 16. Ordered Mast Stepper 2 as I need to step the mast alone. Instructions are for use with a helper as it recommends connecting forestay to winch and then someone needs to hold the mast once up in order to disconnect the winch to hook up the forestay to bridle.

I could probably figure out a solution but decided it would be better to just ask.

Thanks

Ross

There are a ton of threads and posts on solo mast stepping. The hobie 16 is probably the easiest boat to step the mast solo. A lot of guys suggest using your jib sheet, around a simple single pulley at the forward mast suppors clipped to a trap handle, once the mast is up, cleat the jib sheet to hold the mast up so you can hop down and pin the forestay. I've used the mast stepper system in my hobie 20 , took me a long time to setup so I stopped using it. If you have double trapeze setups on your 16 you can use two to stabilize the mast and a third to winch up the mast. The winch will then hold up the mast while you pin the forestay.

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Tim Grover

Memphis, TN fleet 134
Hobie 20! G-Cat5.0 and 2 Hobie 14's
Photobucket now wants $100 to post pics on forums......... pass.

Yeah lots of threats, photos and videos of this... google is your friend.
In short no mast stepper needed just use an extra line - attach to end of forestay, run through the d-shackle where bridals join and back to your jib cleat. Have this line connected and raise mast to upright position. Then whilst holding mast you use the line to take the tension of the forestay and cleat off. Mast will stay whilst you then attach forestay to bridal via hole stay adjuster. Just ensure your jib car is in good shape, I've seen a mast drop when the jib car failed and broke into two.

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2007 Hobie 16 - 'Slingshot'
1996 Hobie 18 - 'Onrails'
Hobie Bravo - 'Hobie Bites'

Of course I have searched, read threads, watched videos and still had a question.

I am just looking for someone who actually uses the Stepper 2 on a Hobie 16 hoping to learn how they secure the mast while Stepping.

I think that at least some of what Tim and Matt are saying may translate to the mast stepper system (although I have not used one).

Rather than attaching the forestay to the winch, could you possibly attach the jib halyard (or a trap wire) instead? This will leave the forestay loose so that it can be attached to the bridle while the halyard/trap wire holds the mast up.

Early on, I learned that my solo stepping method using the forestay to hold up the mast caused the forestay to be in a bad position and under so much tension that it was difficult to connect it to the bridle. Using the jib halyard to raise/hold up the mast leaves the forestay free to be moved around for an easy connection.

Hope this makes sense and is of some help.

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Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16

I have always used the jib halyard to hold the mast when raising it solo. I tie a length of line, about 8', to the jib halyard and to the shackle on the bridle. The line just extends the length of the halyard which is too short to reach the bridle. I raise the mast, then lean down and uncleat the jib halyard, pull it tight, and re-cleat. I can then get down and connect the forestay. The jib halyard holds the bridle up, making the connection simple. Lowering the mast is just the reverse. I use a tripod to hold the end of the mast up off the rear rail.

I don't use the winch or other stepping equipment.

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Howard

That's exactly how I do it, Howard, and it seems that the OP could use the jib halyard instead of the forestay as well. Seems silly to have a mast stepper system that requires a helper to hold the mast up while the forestay is transferred from the winch to the bridle.

The guys in our club with bigger boats (Nacra 5.8, 6.0, F-18) all step with a trap wire connected to the winch.....never the forestay.

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Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16

When I first got the boat, I was really stressed each time I had to step the mast. Now, I do it alone easily. Just point the boat down a beach or find some other way to get the back higher than the front. Raise the mast, and gravity keeps it in position long enough to jump down and pin it.

Also, It is much easier to pin the shrouds at the top initially, then when you have pinned the forestay go back and reposition the shroud pins.

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Steve
2017 Hobie 16 "Cayman" sails 114795
1985 & 1973? Hobie 14 "Sea & Ski"