Foam Sinking Comp Tip Mast?

Newbie here,

My comptip mast on used '89 H-16 sinks fast when knocked down (last weekend, turtled under a minute after knock down...wind 25 mph). Comp tip seems to be the leaker.

Wonder if AB foam (2 lb/cu. ft.) applied inside comp tip is feasible way to keep water out?

Or, do I need to dismantle it and do the epoxy seal treatment all around?

Suggestions, especially from Hobie reps are appreciated.

We currently use expanding foam at the top to seal. Just make a short plug. Do not fill. Also, you should paint epoxy along the mold part line... up the front and behind the luff track if removed.

The mold part line can seep water under pressure.

Aside from all this... if you capsize and hang from the hull or the tramp is directly pointing into the wind and catching wind... the mast can be forced under quickly.

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

Would filling it and sealing it really well provide any extra flotation?

yes it would provide some extra floatation, well it will keep water out.

If you are in a true 25 knot wind then the tramp will catch wind and force the mast down in a hurry, like Matt pointed out.

_________________
Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

Thanks mmiller.

There would be no "extra" flotation provided by foam in the comp tip compared to a sealed tip, the same amount of water is displaced. It will be helpful if it doesn't take on water! Sounds like a BOB is in order.

Yeah winds were gusty, NOAA recorded gusts 25 to 30 that PM where I was sailing...Amazed at how fast it turtled, I used to sail, and flip, a Nacra 5.2 and never had that happen.

Glad to see so much support for these issues unique to Hobie.

Thanks!

There was a discussion about this either here or on Catsailor.com not too long ago. It was said that In fact, if you do fill it with foam you are adding weight (granted not much) to the tip of the mast. So you would not have quite as much flotation as an air tight tip. Also, if you do not seal it really well and water does get in you run the risk of the foam soaking up moisture and making the tip even heavier.

_________________
Sail Like you Have a Pair
Bluish gray 73 - 83 H16
Super Nice Yellow 84 H18

Exactly! That is why Matt Miller says just foam small amount at tip and seal the seams with epoxy.

AB (two part) polyurethane foam is supposed to be closed cell, won't sorb water. Hobie suggests this means of seal between Comp tip and al mast in their tech tips #13070100 (found somewhere else here).

Hey banz, I'm in Los Lunas...not far. See you at Butte (I'll be the one upside down

Any chance you can make it to Storrie next weekend. should be quite a party!

Fleet 48 and the learn to windsurf folks have hired The SurfLoards to play Saturday night.

Sam

_________________
Sail Like you Have a Pair
Bluish gray 73 - 83 H16
Super Nice Yellow 84 H18

Sam,
Thanks, sounds fun. My son will be here then, will consider.

Dunno if I will get the comp tip seal job done in time.

I have a Columbia 22 at Butte as well, so can have a "mother ship" if I get time to launch, set up, crew, etc....

Rex

Eeewwww a Monohull Actually, I have a friend with a Catalina 22 up a Cochiti and I crew for him sometimes. We (The fleet) have a couple of events planned for the Butte also later in the season. Email me at

sswari at studioswarch dot com

and/Or check out www.hobiefleet48.org

for more info.

I am trying to get the fleet to have more events down south, but the ones in Santa Fe prefer not to drive that far.

Talk to you soon. We would love to have you at some of the events.

Sam

_________________
Sail Like you Have a Pair
Bluish gray 73 - 83 H16
Super Nice Yellow 84 H18

Hey Rex, any chance you new to you boat is a Black or Dark colored hull with shark mouth graphics on the bows???

Sam

_________________
Sail Like you Have a Pair
Bluish gray 73 - 83 H16
Super Nice Yellow 84 H18