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sail ripped on brand new getaway and mast fell down.
http://www.hobie.com/au/en/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=67248
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Author:  seanharper [ Sat Aug 22, 2020 1:05 pm ]
Post subject:  sail ripped on brand new getaway and mast fell down.

I was sailing today in lake michigan - beautiful day. Winds about 15 knots, waves about 2 feet. We were sailing great, really cooking - had my sons and parents with me.

Then the mast came down. I had my mast come down before, when the bow shackle came loose and bent (https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=66987). I had double checked the bow shackle and all the clevis pins, I had my rigging nice and tight (https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=67190).

What happened?? The jib actually ripped where it connects to the bridle and the front of the boat. Here are some pictures.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/5Yc547HnY9ThD9BM9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/TnNnZGdnSsCUD7Y26

That seems kind of bonkers to me, since I know people routinely sail getaways in heavier weather than I was sailing. I didn't anticipate this boat being so fragile. It's still fun, its just kind of a bummer.

I guess this would be covered under warranty, I need a new jib at least. I haven't really taken a look at the mast but it did come down the wrong way. The step pin is bent, I have a spare and the ball and where the mast connect to the ball are kind of worn where it fell.

Any advice?


I'd love to avoid towing it to the nearest hobie dealer because it's like 120 miles away.

Author:  tpdavis473 [ Sat Aug 22, 2020 1:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: sail ripped on brand new getaway and mast fell down.

Where is your forestay? That's what holds the mast up.

Author:  seanharper [ Sat Aug 22, 2020 2:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: sail ripped on brand new getaway and mast fell down.

Oh, wow. You just blew my mind. I think we discovered the root cause of all my issues. The boat was improperly rigged at the dealer and I didn't notice until now.

This is how it should be rigged -- https://photos.app.goo.gl/HzGGfYRSfTfPQ4XVA. (from the hobie rigging video)

and this is how mine was rigged:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/nXqYUGrRC5ug6gKG9

The forestay adjuster was connected to the hole in the sail where the jib luff tensioning line should be connected, instead of actually being connected to the forestay. Interestingly the hobie video also shows the forestay connected to the forestay adjsuter with a clevis pin rather than a shackle.


I suspect this was the root cause of my previous rig tension issues. It makes perfect sense in retrospect, but I had never seen a getaway rigged before (or seen a getaway before).

Interestingly, this youtube video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=733z8c7EUJ8&t=24s -- also seems to have it connected in the same way I had it. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Abcrd963sS7BpENL9. the front shackle that connects to the forestay adjusted seems to be connected through the


I suppose the good news is that it should still be sailable if I rig it properly, I just won't be able to tension the jib fully and hopefully the connection between the mast and the ball isn't damaged.

Here I re-arranged things - https://photos.app.goo.gl/unBWZqQ7x7hkbcu67.

Author:  ashus [ Sat Aug 22, 2020 3:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: sail ripped on brand new getaway and mast fell down.

[color=#0040BF]The connection of the bridle should be to the forestay for sure.
On the subject of rigging the jib, twice now the sheets have disconnected using the spring clip thingy provided by Hobie to neaten the roller furling when ashore. From now on will be connecting the sheet blocks directly to the shackle.
[/color]

Author:  dorienc [ Sat Aug 22, 2020 4:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: sail ripped on brand new getaway and mast fell down.

I would drive the 120 miles back to the dealer, and get it inspected and everything damaged, replaced. This is inexcusable.

I'm not real thrilled with my dealer. When I got the boat, the main sail luff rope was badly frayed. He said the mast track had a rough spot that he ground down! I looked at it, insisted on a new mast and mainsail before I would accept the boat.

Then, he rigged the block and cam for the spinnaker on the port side, instead of the starboard. It works, but is harder to use and inconvenient to rig.

THEN, after I trailered it to a marina 100 miles away, someone in the marina pointed out the trailer spring shackle bolt on one wheel was almost completely out. These have locknuts, so clearly no nut was put on that shackle. Had it come all the way out, my axle would have ripped out at 60 MPH! I don't know if the dealer assembled the trailer, but I think he did, since I've seen trailers shipped and the axles are off so they can stack the frames. Even if he didn't, he should have inspected the trailer on delivery.

So, hold the dealer accountable, and make the boat new again. You bought a new boat, any damage should be rectified. Including mast and crossbar(s) if damaged.

Author:  tpdavis473 [ Sun Aug 23, 2020 8:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: sail ripped on brand new getaway and mast fell down.

While your new rearrangement will keep the mast up, you won't be able to sail very well without replacing that grommet. If you don't want to wait for an official repair from the hobie dealer who screwed it up, you can easily make a slight modification so you can still sail the boat. Simply sew some webbing (seatbelt strap type) above the grommet hole to make a loop. You can sew it with an awl or "speedy stitcher" or a sewing machine if you have a heavy duty one. Best if you sew from a couple inches above the hole where the grommet used to be along the luff and leave a little loop at the bottom to attach your tensioning line. While you are doing this repair, take a look at the top swivel attachment and verify that the forestay is attached to it.

Author:  mmiller [ Wed Aug 26, 2020 11:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: sail ripped on brand new getaway and mast fell down.

Can't imagine that grommet would survive rigging let alone any sailing.

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