disassembly of wave mast

I am new to the sailing world (bought my first 2009 Hobie Wave in May) and I trailer my boat to different lakes around my area. For many different reasons, (like storing and trailering) I would like to drill out the rivets in the mast and make the two pieces a non permanent connection. Does anyone have any objections to doing this? does the mast loose it rigidity? If not, are there any good directions on the proper way to do this. The mast does not fit in my garage unless I take up both car stalls. It would be much better if I could cut it in two and store it that way. Also, for winterizing this would be a huge benefit.

Thanks guys, I am new to this whole thing but I love every minute of it.

The Wave mast is not rivited together as supplied by Hobie Cat. Maybe something the dealer did? Anyway... no problem, it is designed to be 2 pc.

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

I take my mast apart each time I use it - I too have to have it in two sections to fit in the garage. I am not sure why yours is rivited together?

Correction:
I looked at my mast again last night and I don’t know what I was thinking. Some reason I thought that the two parts were riveted together. I now see that there is nothing there to hold the two pieces. Can you just pull them apart? Or is there a special trick I should know.

Thanks guys for your help.

Just pull apart.

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

I've found it's easier to assemble/disassemble the mast if you attach the base to the ball first. Then you've got something solid to push or pull against. It works better than finding someone to play tug-of-war with. Hold the top near the Bob and shake it while you pull, and it should eventually slide out.

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What - Me Worry?


2006 Hobie Wave 7358
"Ish Kabibble"

Thanks for that bit of info IndyWave. My neighbor and I were working on pulling the two apart last night with no success. When I get a chance, I will try your method.

Yes, Indy's right...

I lean back against the bob while grasping the mast like I am pulling a tug-of-war rope.

Then, I knock my shoulder back against the bob, hard, a couple of times to dislodge.

_________________

"HOBIE....
Say it LOUD and there's music playing...
Say it SOFT and it's almost like praying.....
I just sailed my WAVE out the Marina !"
West Coast Story

Thanks for the tips guys. I am busy tonight but I will try it over the weekend and see what happens. The two appear to be pretty well stuck together but I will give your technique a shot.

Hey Guys, does pulling the mast apart like this leave both sections "open" so that any water can get out? I live in Vermont and want to make sure there is no water that could freeze in the mast this winter. - Scott

Both sections are sealed at both ends by the factory, but water can seep in sometimes. I think the joint is the culprit, as rain water gets trapped there between the sections.

I drilled a couple of tiny holes to let it seep back out; one in the luff track just above the mast base, and one in the luff track just above the seal inside the joint. I used the smallest bit in my set, 1/32 or 1/64. You want it to just seep out, but not rush in if you capsize.

I have only noticed water in the comptip section once, but I think it probably wicked up from the joint also.

_________________
What - Me Worry?


2006 Hobie Wave 7358
"Ish Kabibble"

So I tried attaching the mast to the ball and pulling and still no luck. I will try a few other tricks tonight but I do not think I am going to get these pieces apart. I may be able to rig up a puller system with a hydraulic jack but that would be considerably more work.

Any other tips/tricks you guys use? I know I am beating this thing to death but I am going to winterize the boat soon and I would like this figured out by then.

Thanks guys and as always, any help would be greatly appreciated.

You might try shooting some McLube Sailcoat into the seam. It's a dry lubricant, and is good for applications where you don't want sand or dirt gumming things up. It sprays on wet, but dries in a few seconds. It's available at West Marine and most boat shops.

Sometimes it does take a lot of shaking before my mast starts to wiggle itself apart.

_________________
What - Me Worry?


2006 Hobie Wave 7358
"Ish Kabibble"

Winch?

_________________

"HOBIE....
Say it LOUD and there's music playing...
Say it SOFT and it's almost like praying.....
I just sailed my WAVE out the Marina !"
West Coast Story

I tried attaching the mast to the ball and pulling the mast apart but still no success. Maybe the winch would be my next option.