Comptip benefits??

I have badly damaged my H16 comptip mast, and so far I have only found a used mast w/out comptip
IS there any significant upside/benefit to have a comptip mast?

Protection from electrocution?

That is the major benifit. Helps to protect sailors from accidental contact with an overhead power line. This can be at a ramp, waterway or deep back cove in a lake... you never know.

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

Where are you located?

I have a Comptip Mast from an 1983 H16 I could give you.

I am in Los Angeles.

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1980 18 foot class A Unicorn catamaran
1977 Super Sunfish (sold)
1979 Hobie (sold)
1983 Hobie 16 Hawiian Sunset (sold)
1981 Hobie 16 Tequilla Sunrise (sold)
2008 Hobie 16 (sold)
2023 Hobie 16
Founding member of the "San Dimas Yacht Club"
John

...and if he doesn't want it John, I do!!!

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Happy Sailing,

David

When I bought my '85 H-16 without comptip, I received a letter from Hobie offering to retrofit the comptip free. Included in the letter was the note that the comptip reduced the "cone of protection" from lightning. I believe that it is necessary to have the comptip to be class legal for racing. Obviously I don 't race. I researched lightning and found an interesting comment from one expert. "The only thing more dangerous than being on the water in a boat with a mast sticking up is being on a boat without a mast." I believe there have been accidents where masts struck power lines when being towed toward launch ramps. I am satisfied without the comptip.

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Howard

Here is the comp tip story I was told, when Coleman owned Hobie some idiot was not observant and sailed into or tried to set up his mast and it touched a power line causing damage, due to the deep pockets of Coleman the person sued and won big bucks, as a result the company introduced the comp tip to reduce further law suites. Is this not true?

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Bodhisatfa

This was not an isolated incident. Folks have been killed as a result of hitting power lines. It's very easy to become distracted when you're at the beach having a good time with family and friends. The danger is very real and we've all had our momentary lapses, but calling any of the victims in these cases "idiots" just makes you look like a idiot.

Kudos to Hobie for providing a well designed and effective solution to the problem - regardless of the motivation behind it or who was at fault. That's not something we see a lot of today...recent Toyota happenings jump to mind...

sm

I agree idiot is uncalled for, accidents happen some are bizarre, In my experience it is unacceptable ,do not sail near power lines that is ground work you do first!

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Bodhisatfa

There are power lines just outside of the SC Harbor parking lot. At least once a month, someone, either a fisherman with antennas up, or less common, a sailor takes them out. They are just individual house power and phone, but it does happen... often.

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Sail Revolution
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Is there any added performance from having the comp tip? If the fiberglass is more flexible than the aluminium than maybe the top of the sail can twist off more in high wind.

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1975 hobie 14 - Sold

1985 Hobie 16

Well, if you ever want to add a spinnaker maybe you are better off without the comp tip. Minor issue I know....

Check the mast head sheave too. They don't make them anymore.

Exactly

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Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

Is the comp tip 100% successful? I'm thinking of power lines that may be lower than the comp tip.

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'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'

I do not get it, look ahead and check for power lines if they are present stay away from them, do not rely on a comp tip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Bodhisatfa

I agree with you 100% Little Wing, 1000% even, but, I do think it's prudent to keep this in mind:

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'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'