Murray Mast Hinge

Hey guys,

So I recently lost my Hobie mast step link, so I got the Murray’s mast hing kit instead thinking it would be an upgrade because it is a bit heavier duty.

I failed to read the description where it says “ This kit does not fit the newer style Hobie 16s - post 1993 Hobie 16s with the extreme mast rake, or on older boats with an updated mast step. The way to tell is if your mast step has a horizontal mast base then it is old style, new style has a slant toward the stern.”.

I have a 1975 16 and the previous owners must have installed the updated mast step. The Murray’s mast hinge works for raising the mast but I have to use pliers to get the pins out.
I can’t get the hinge installed to lower the mast though (I trailer so this is kind of important…). Attached is a photo of the hinge when the mast is up.

Has anyone found a way to modify the Murray’s hinge to work with the updated mast step? Did you shim it, bend it, elongate the holes, or make some other modification?

This at times has been an issue for me as well...old/new, Murrays/Hobie..hasn't mattered. Some things to consider (based on my experience; not necessarily universal truths)...
Unless they've changed it, that little pin/screw for the step in the Hobie kit bends too easily, and, if anything about the kit gets bent, es no bueno. Otherwise, the Hobie hinge has worked pretty well for me.
For the base pin, a number two Phillips screwdriver works well...nice to have that handle to grab during this wrestling match. (Grind off the pointy end!) Once thats out, the step pin should come out easily (with the Hobie hinge, at least).
I usually attach the jib sheet to the bridle and tighten it when the mast is up but the boat's not rigged. If you do this also, make sure it's all loose before stepping/dropping.
It looks like your mast is leaning way forward and needs to lean way further back to make the Murray's hinge work. Is the forestay really tight (possibly too short)?...maybe add a stay adjuster to it at the bridle? (An H16 mast with nothing on it tightened should be leaning WAY back.)
It almost looks like the Hobie hinge would work using the H14 (rather than H16) hole. That has worked for me sometimes.
When carrying a lot of mast rake (shrouds pinned low), I usually have the opposite problem...mast needs to lean further forward, not back. Attaching jib sheets to bridle and sheeting in (and/or pulling back/down on forestay) can help, but sometimes I just have to loosen a shroud. (Maybe I should revisit using that old Murray's hinge!)
If you have to use a hammer, be very careful...that cast aluminum is brittle!

I can't see where any modification to that Murrays hinge would work.

Hope this helps some. Let us know when you get this figured out.

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Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16