Bolts attaching the forward spreader

As I took my Getaway out of the water last week-end, I noticed one of the bolts attaching the forward spreader to the hulls sticking out more than usual (they normally go in and out as the hulls flex).

Sure enough when I tugged on it, the entire bolt came out and I couldn't screw it back in. I'm sure glad it didn't fall out while I was on the water.

I was eventually able to put it back in a few minutes later as the hulls apparently flexed back into their usual position. Has this happened to anyone else? What's the recommended remedy?

The assembly instructions recommend to not over tighten or compress the hull. This makes sense as the hulls need some leeway. However, shouldn't these bolts be mounted with some locktite? There is no mention of it for these bolts in the manual.

The bolts are threaded into a plastic block that should be self locking.

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

Now that they no longer lock in the plastic thread, would locktite work? Or does it work only with metal-on-metal threads?

My concern is that the next time I put the boat in the water, I may come back to shore with a missing bolt. There is probably fairly little risk of the spreader to come out of the hull in normal conditions, but the stress on these parts under sail is huge and if it did separate from the hull, this would have serious consequence for the rigging!

Loctite would not do what you are looking for. Personally, I would use some epoxy on the threads and insert the bolt. It should form a new layer of threads for your bolt to hang on to but still be able to remove it if necessary.

You mean fill the hole with thickened epoxy, then drill and tap it? If he just epoxies the bolt in I'd wager it's never comin' out (whole) again.

_________________
Warm regards,

Jim

The week-end was beautiful and I couldn't resist... So I added a few drops of lock-tite, put the bolts back in and went sailing. The bolts didn't come out, but this doesn't mean that they won't under stress.

As JaimeZX indicated, I'm leery of epoxying the bolts. Even filling in the cavity with epoxy and then drilling and taping a new thread would be a problem as it would require taking the whole boat apart to access only the spreader itself. I wouldn't want to expoxy the spreader to the plastic of the hull.

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I'll keep sailing like this, keeping an eye on these bolts, unless someone has a better idea.

My port bow screw is completely stripped. I saw a part in the catalogue called an "end cap" for the Getaway. I was considering ordering a new end cap to screw into. I haven't taken the boat apart yet so I don't know if this is where the screw threads into but I sure am curious.

Han

I would use a stainless insert or flange.

Really... threading a bolt into a piece of plastic is stupid in the first place. I am glad you didn't have any accidents out on the water.

Question for Hobie: Bolts into plastic??? Are you serious? I know the Getaway isn't a high dollar boat, but come on. This is becoming way too common.

We run getaways in our rental program and have never had a problem. we simply tighten them up, go for a few sails then re tighten everything and she's as good as new. The forward bar is not a structural part of the boat, so even if this did come out the boat would be fine, we sail with the front tramp off 100% when on gets damaged and have never had a problem!

Thanks,
Brad Stephens
www.sunjammers.com
Hobie Division 15 Chairman
Authorized Hobie/Vanguard/Hunter Dealer
[email protected]
850-235-2281
Panama City Beach, FL

... maybe on the cats you use for rental, but on a Getaway with a jib on the forestay attached to the forward spreader? If the spreader came out of one of the hulls, the whole mast would come down.

I wouldn't be worried if this was not a structural part, but on the boat like the Getaway, and most small cats, there are very few non-structural parts, and the forward spreader is certainly not one of them.

I'll keep lock-tite for whatever it's worth in this case, and a sharp eye on these bolts, until Hobie comes up with a better answer.

wow I stuck my foot in my mouth this time, I read two separate things and combined both into the same answer. there was a post about sailing with the front tramp off as well, the front cross bar cannot be removed from the Getaway, obviously if you look at one. However once a boat was sailed a bit and then re tightened we never has anymore problems with the front cross bar screws coming loose. Hope the lock tight works if not let us know and we will try to help you figure out something!

Thanks,
Brad Stephens
www.sunjammers.com
Hobie Division 15 Chairman
Authorized Hobie/Vanguard/Hunter Dealer
[email protected]
850-235-2281
Panama City Beach, FL

Bow Spreader Bolts

Believe it or not... the bolts were an after thought. As long as the forward tramp is tight and the hulls are pulled together, the spreader will stay in place. The bolts were added security and considering the varying performance of plastics... a good idea. How about just going up a size in the threads? That will do it. Drill the tang if needed and tap the block to the bigger size.

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

I am considering epoxy for these bolts. According to West System you can cover the threads of the screw in wax allowing it to be removed later if needed.

I still don't have a clear picture of the "how" and "what" of this screw. Does it screw into a threaded metal insert in the end cap of the bow spreader? I suppose I'll find out when I take it apart.

Does anyone know if West System epoxy resin will bond to Getaway plastic? Doubtful.

It makes sense that the tramp will hold the bow and bar in place but I'm trying a custom tramp and want the screws as back up.

Han
Sail Safaris
St John, US Virgin Islands

The screw threads into a plastic block inside the spreader.

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

I've been sailing my Getaway for 3 years now. The screws at the ends of the front spreader bar have worked loose and can't be retightened. Is there any problem with just removing those screws? or do I need to fix this?

The front bar has pulled out about an inch on each side. The front tramp is tight. It doesn't appear to be able to pull out any further.

All advice is appreciated, thanks.