Forestay length - too short?

I just bought my second 14. I sold the first one when I had nowhere to put it - it's been a long few years. The latest is from the original owner. A beautiful 1973, sail #8584. My wife and I could step the mast on the old one pretty easily. On this one, there's no pin on the mast base, so it's not easy getting it in, but we got it done. Once in, pushing against the shrouds, the forestay is 3-4 inches away from the bridle. We adjust the shroud adjusters as close as possible but couldnt get it close enough for my wife to connect bridle to forestay. I couldn't have leaned against the mast anymore than I was. Can anyone help come up with a suggestion on how to get those extra few inches?

Add a 10 hole adjuster. 1970's vintage liked the mast more vertical... then we learned that rake aft is you friend.

20830020 10 HOLE ADJUSTER

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

Hi, justincazel,

I reactivate my ’77 H14 last summer after 25 years in storage, and had the same trouble stepping the mast as you did – my mast base wasn’t drilled either, so I ordered the mast step kit and drilled the base per the instructions that came with the kit. What a difference it makes!

Hobie P/N 21380001 Hobie Mast Step Link Kit

I’ve gone through my boat this winter, repairing or replacing worn parts, as well as modifying it to the Turbo configuration. You might find the report detailing that work of interest; it can be found here: https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=66622

John

Thanks guys.

I didn't realize that the mast step kit had drilling instructions. I thought I was going to have to buy a new base and mast step.

As far as the shroud adjuster is concerned, should I get three? Two for the shrouds and one for the forestay?

Just the forestay I think.

https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/media.hobie.com/item_attachments/21380001.pdf

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

Thanks Matt.

I just ordered the 10 pin adjuster and the mast step link kit. For the link kit, I found the PDF that tells you where to drill, but it only shows where on the base, and not the step itself. Do I simply drill the holes on the base, then line it up, mark it and drill?

The step casting would be drilled to match the link. You have a bit less material on the mast base, so start there.

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

All good stuff with the step links!

To this day, I still leave the rigging attached (loosen shrouds to top holes-10 hole adjuster with a shackle on top) and hoist the mast up and into the mast step. Use sticky gloves for added traction when stepping.

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Bob Curry
Master Unirig Sailor

I got my kit today and I'm a little freaked about drilling into mast step casting. I can use the diagram to drill the holes in the mast base, but the step has much less room for error. Am I overthinking it?

Look at the stock casting for guidance of the hole location.

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