Bent Mast

I just purchased a mast for a Hobie 16, its bent, but not too bad, how can I straighten it out?

thanks

Slight bends may be fixable... but not if linked. Place on a couple of blocks with the bend centered between. Have someone hold the mast so the bend is "up". Step on and bounce gently and keep checking. Best up against a fence or have something to hold onto for balance.

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

I had a 16 with a similiar problem. I took it to a shop that straightened truck frames (the frame straightener was long enought to accommodate). They go it pretty straight but chain they used to with the counter weight on it kinked the mast. It probably would have worked if they put something between the chain and the mast like a 2"x4". Aluminum can be very unforgiving and may not let you fix it. Good luck!!

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Division 10, Fleet 185
Hobie 17 and Hobie 14

I straightened a bent 16 mast years ago between two trees.

I used towells around the mast to spread the load where it contacted the trees, this was to stop kinking.

I fed the mast between the trees with the bend at the closest tree so I could pull back on the mast to staighten it.

My mast had a nasty bend (hit it whilst going endo whilst on trap!) that whilst not fully staightened certainly made the mast straight enough to use.