Aussie Halyard Angst

Maybe I have been doing it wrong, but aren't you supposed to remove the mast step hinge when you are sailing?
I thought it was just for stepping/unstepping the mast.

From the picture, it looks like mdgann is using the heavy duty mast hinge sold by Murray's (not a Hobie product). It's a big, beefy thing relative to the stock part. I run a lot of mast rake and can't get a Murray's hinge in position....period (my base hasn't been ground to provide clearance). It's just too big with the mast further back. It would not surprise me that the ball could pivot out of the socket when, after wedging the hinge in there, the mast is allowed to go way back.

If I remember correctly, the directions for the Murray's hinge say it must be removed while sailing (unlike the Hobie hinge). It's so big the mast base will catch on it, impeding rotation and possibly breaking something. I remove my Hobie hinge while sailing, too, just so it doesn't accidently get caught on something and get bent.

Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi

I'm learning stuff everyday. I don't remember anything in the instructions about removing the hinge to sail. What a hassle, what with the retrieval spring on the pin at the hinge point and all. It would take me at least a half hour to remove and put it back on every time. With my clearance I can get the boom about 18 inches away from the back cross bar. Good enough for now. I would need to get the low profile blocks to get much closer anyway. Does anyone else remove the hinge every sail?

The Utah Summer Games Catamaran Event is this weekend at Deer Creek. There should be a decent H16 turnout. I can bring my rigging supplies if you want to shorten your forestay.
Just let me know,

[email protected]

That would be great Ben, but I don't think that I am going to be there. I had planned earlier in the season to attend, but it hasn't worked out. I may just mark my forestay and go up and watch the action.

I can't remember the last time I left the step hinge in while sailing.

It takes less than 10 seconds to remove it. Use two long pins (Phillips head screwdrivers work, too). Forget the spring.