2005 Mast Concern

I purchased a 2005 Getaway in the late fall and am checking rigging in preparation for my maiden voyage. I'm determined to show the grandkids how cool I am....and I've always wanted to set sail from our nearby Lake Michigan beach. I have replaced the shroud cables sinceI noticed some broken strands near the top shackle. On the mast I noticed a small crack behind the luff channel where the comptip meets the aluminum mast. Should this be a great concern and what can be done about it? Otherwise everything looks to be in great shape an I'm anxious to set sail. In fact I've just finished reading "Sailing for Dummies" for the third time. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Tim

Are you on the west or east side of Michigan? If you are new to sailing, I would advise that you proceed with caution. Lake Michigan is fabulous and is great for sailing but it can be quite treacherous. The wind can change in minutes and what seemed like a steady breeze can suddenly become a strong gale.

Also, Michigan is very cold right now and if you capsize, you had better have dry suit on. If you're in Wisconsin, the inland lakes are still cold right now but are warming up and certainly can be a bit more forgiving than Michigan.

And if there's anyone who doubts the force of Michigan, there is a great full page photo in last months' SAIL magazine of the lighthouse in Port Washington, WI being smashed in the surf.


Good luck!

Not sure about this. Maybe a photo? If the crack is at the junction of the CompTip to Aluminum mast it may be just from flexing between the parts. This joint is supposed to be glued together. If not, then the pressure is worse and will cause the putty material to crack. This is not normally a structural issue, just cosmetic.

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

I have a similar crack in my mast. It is right where the comp tip meets the metal. I have been sailing it that way for a few years now and it hasn't gotten bigger. I am not sure but I believe the crack developed from a rather violent pitch-pole from a few years ago when the mast hit the water hard. I was thinking of putting CA glue in the crack, but never seem to get around to it.

Thanks to all. I can't tell you how helpfull this forum has been in preparing me for this adventure..... I even built my own beachwheels. I'll take a close look often at the mast during this first season. I'm near the very south east portion of lake Michigan and plan to be cautious....present water temp is only 40 degrees. If I can't figure out how to turn around I may very well end up in Port Washington.
Tim

Tim
You bought too big a cat for your first boat. A Wave would have been much better. Learning to sail a cat competently can be done in as little as 10 hours and perhaps six sailing sessions. You need to be able to tack, recover from a failed tack, and jibe, in light, medium and heavy wind. You need to be able to right an overturned boat in medium and heavy wind (you won't turn over in light wind and practicing righting on a still day will do nothing to prepare you for righting in heavy wind and waves). Add docking in medium and heavy wind if you won't always be sailing from a beach. It would be realistic and fun for you to learn by trail and error and reference to Sailing for Dummies with the grandkids on a Bravo or Wave. On a Getaway to learn medium and heavy weather skills you need an experienced instructor. A Getaway in the hands of an inexperienced helmsman on a blustery day is an accident waiting to happen. If you push or pull the tiller the wrong way as you close on another boat, piling or pier at 10 to 15 mph an expensive crash is a real possibility. A turn over with the grandkids could be very unpleasant. When it goes over you and the kids will probably be in the water away from the boat. A Getaway on its side will quickly start blowing away from you faster than you can swim while wearing a life jacket. I suggest you find a small lake and stay on it until you and the grandkids can comfortably right the Getaway on a windy day. Don't go out on Lake Michigan on a windy day without a waterproof radio to call for rescue, or several other boats ready to come to your aid.

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Bob

Bob.... I do appreciate the cautions, some of which I am working on. I'm going to install the righting pole suggested in this forum and am investing in a portable VHF radio. I have been looking at a Standard Horizon 471. More importantly I'll only be out on calm days this first season and with no grandkids...only adult son-in-laws who know CPR. I hope to be a quick study and will look into instruction if I can find someone in the area. Lake Michigan is my only option presently and I will be leaving the cat rigged on the beach. I've had some limited sailing experience over the years....30 years ago we owned a sunfish and I have at times, crewed on larger boats like J24s. Your stated concerns have put a slight damper on my spirts....did my wife put you up to this? Encouragement would be welcome.
Tim

Tim,

I too was a sunfish sailor prior to my Hobie Getaway, actualy won mine in a drawing. While there is a pretty good learning curve on a cat and I would caution you to wait for warmer water temp, this is a very forgiving cat. I would only caution you to not have too much fun too fast or you will find yourself leaving work early to go for a sale ( can be tough on the job). For me 250lbs flying a hull is difficult and with a crew all but doesn't happen. tacking is very different than the sunfish and you should read through the post about backwinding the jib. A jibe is more similair to the sunfish and main sheet control is critical, arguably safer on the getaway without a boom. The boat is great and your grandkids will love it. You will aquire the skills quickly and then the fun is trying to get better

Craig

Thanks Craig.....Looking forward to sunset cruises.
Tim

I sail my Getaway by myself I only weigh 145lb and this is the very first sailboat ive ever owned...and hell the first time ive ever sailed..after my first season with it ive gotten pretty good....after about 3 sails with my dad i now sail alone weighing so little its a wild ride generally even in a light wind....

you'll love it, and i dont think you bought too big of a boat