Mast Stepper III

When I step or unstep my mast single handed, I use a step ladder to hold the mast.

As suspected....pure BS.

Really odd. There is no load on the weld if rigged correctly. The pole is only in compression on the mast and there should be no bend force on the weld or mast connection.

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

Yes, the gin pole I made for my 17 was a 2x4, bungeed to the mast. Never slipped. The only problem with my mast stepper iii for my Getaway was, as I stated earlier, the bungee loop is too long and you've already addressed that.

_________________
Yet another Bob!
"Firefly" - 2012 Hobie Getaway with wings and spinnaker
"Sparky" - 1978 Sunfish (OK, it's not a Hobie, but it's a fun little craft)
Too many canoes and kayaks

Matt, I have a suggestion for the instructions to the Mast Stepper III. It is not clear that you are supposed to attach the jib and forestay before winching up the mast-it only says to attach the furler and none of the photos (with the exception of the boat with the mast up) shows the jib/forestay attached to the furler. I suspect the person who damaged his stepper didn't attach the jib/forestay since if you don't attach it, you are putting a prying torque on the stepper base. I haven't used mine yet and that is one of the questions I have.

_________________
R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

https://static.hobiecat.com/item_attachments/3156z52.pdf

First page, under hardware installation, item "B".



Photos show attaching the lower end of the forestay / jib to the furler (Figures B).

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

Not in the one I'm looking at. Figure 8 shows attaching the winch line to the pole straps. Figure 9 shows attaching the furler drum to the pole eyestrap but you can't see whether or not the jib/forestay is attached at the same time. Step 10 is the only reference to forestay and after reading through the instructions 5 times, this is the first time I've seen it. Seriously, FIX YOUR INSTRUCTIONS.

_________________
R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

Oh, and if you meant figures "B" as in Boy instead of the number 8...the photos do NOT show any forestay or jib in the booklet. Honest, FIX YOUR INSTRUCTIONS. Assume folks will try to follow your instructions step by step even if they don't make sense (like having the furler attached to the pole without anything else attached to the furler). I used to write procedures for a living...so far, the ones from Hobie have been less than exemplary.

_________________
R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

Why would the jib/forestay be disconnected? The istructions say to move the furler from the bridle to the jib/forstay. They never say to remove the forestay. It is a simple system the forestay takes the load the gin pole is in compression to act as a fulcrum.

I suspect that anyone that has damaged a stepper III is not using it correctly.

_________________
Sail More. Tinker Less. Enjoy a Hobie Day.
-2013 H16 #1`13780
-2014 Getaway w/wings,spinnaker,& trapeze

It's not the normal way to step a mast for most folks and most boats. Most folks and boats raise the stick and THEN attach the forestay. Heck, even the Getaway does it that way if you don't have the stepper--you manhandle the stick up and then attach the forestay/jib. The instructions never instruct one to attach the forestay to the furler on the pole. Simple suggestion to improve the instruction to ensure no one CAN make a mistake. The way they are written and illustrated makes it possible to make a mistake and ruin the stepper. Never doubt that Murphy is there to screw you.

_________________
R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

Yes... that is/was a "B" as in boy on page 1.

That image could show more of the forestay / jib, but focuses on the furler to adjuster plate attachment point.

It would be impossible to raise the mast without the forestay attached to the pole.

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

Seems pretty clear in the images though.

I do agree that the forestay and jib could be more clear, but honestly... first time I have heard this complaint in the many years that the product has been out.

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

Fine, live with it as-is. You had one customer destroy his stepper and almost had another (me) because the instructions are not clear. I don't care.

In the realm of sailing Murphy will bite you in the butt if given any opportunity. You have left both the door and window open when all it would take is ONE PHOTO showing the whole thing with the mast down and stepper attached properly just prior to winching up. One or two sentences explaining that the system uses the forestay to pull up the mast; leverage and athwartship stability being provided by the pole and side lines and the stepper foot being used to keep the mast properly aligned SIDEWAYS despite pulling on the forestay.

I know that pride of authorship is rampant with anyone who writes procedures (or anything else for that matter), but you should know that only the authors who embrace editors (and editing) are the ones who get published.

_________________
R/Thom
SeaRail 19
Triak
BMW C600
Formerly Getaway with Custom Spinnakers
Formerly raced F24 Mk II

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

Updated the images and some text. Not a major rework, but should make the point quite clear.

http://static.hobiecat.com/web_uploads/2014/11/07/3156.pdf

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