Lowering Mast - Step Link Kit Query

Hi there

Can anyone help me to understand if you are supposed to also use the Mast Step Link Kit to help you lower a Hobie 16 Mast? We used it this weekend to raise the mast successfully, but then once raised, we removed the kit. When it came time to lower the mast, we were not able to re-fit the link kit to help us lower the mast. The problem was that although we could get the one pin fitted back with the kit to the mast step (the base itself), we could not get the second pin in to the hole of the mast itself. This was because the hole of the mast was now not aligned any longer to the hole of the mast step link kit. In fact the hole marked "14" on the kit was lined up to the hole in the mast and we could have used that, but I was not sure what problems that might cause...the problem was we could not get the hole marked "16" on the link kit lined up with the hole in the base of the mast to be able to use the kit to lower the mast....I did try to push the mast forward to line the holes up but this did not work.....any help appreciated here, thanks, Peter

You may have to lift or tilt the mast aft a little more to get the pin back in. You can also use a smaller diameter pin. A Phillips head screw driver works great.

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

Perhaps your teflon chip bearing slipped out and now the mast is slightly lower than it should be, possibly combined with the shrouds attached to the lowest position on the stay adjuster, could be why it still won't line up even when you push the mast forward. I have always used the stepping hardware when bringing it down, just makes it safer and reduces the chance of damage.

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1990 "Formula 1" H16 (# 009)

I have the same problem. I have to lift the mast slightly to get it to line up. Old, worn out mast base and casting I suspect.

Yes, you must use the link to lower the mast. Makes things easier and safer.

It is normal to push the mast forward if you are on the trampoline, or pull it forward if you are in front to get the holes to line up. A second person makes it easier, one to pull the mast forward, one to insert the pin.

As stated before, use a #3 philips screwdriver instead of pin that came with the kit. The screwdriver handle gives you much better control when inserting the pin/screwdriver.

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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

A suggestion....With the jib clew blocks hooked to the stay adjuster on the bridle (the way I always store mine when not sailing), use the jib sheet to move the mast fore & aft (by taking up/giving slack in the forestay), and see if you can find the sweet spot. I found that when I set my stays for max rake, I had to use a lot of effort to force the mast forward enough to get the second pin in and out. (Until I modified an old step link with a bench grinder.....another thread.)

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Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16

Hey, I didn't know it was "all chime in day" (and as if mmiller can't give a definitive answer on his own!)

One thing we do (when we remember) is loosen one sides' shroud tension by moving it up to the top hole of the adjuster. This makes it easier to line all the holes up to step.

+1 on the screwdriver

Putting proper setting/tension back on the loose shroud can be accomplished by pulling down and holding the trapeze wire (as a temporary stay) while the other crew moves the pin back down.

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

Since I have to trailer my boat each time, I raise and lower the mast while the boat is secured to the trailer (and the trailer hitch is attached the vehicle's trailer ball).

I leave my step link connected to the mast base all the time. I also use the top hole on the link (14) for my H16.

When preparing to lower the mast, the aluminum tab on the mast base (that the phillips screw driver goes thru) sometimes gets hungup to the side of the steplink when the forestay alone is holding up the mast. To solve this problem, I stand in front of the mast and with my left hand pull down on the forestay (to reduce the rake like the jib halyard does) while using my right hand to line up the step link with mast base's tab and then insert the phillips screw driver.

After raising the mast, I pull out the phillips screwdriver and push the link down. If my teflon chip is getting worn down, the link may not clear the tab on the mast base until I tighten the jib halyard .

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Tim
84 H16
82 H16
87 H14T
Tortola Sails: 115222
Blue Prism Sails: 88863
Clearwater, FL

Hi everyone...thanks a lot for all the replies - very helpful. We were able to use the kit to lower the mast this time around by inserting a philips screwdriver in to the 14 hole (still could not get it into the 16 hole despite adjusting the mast rake)...so we are slowly getting there....One more question associated with this please: is there any danger of damage to the mast or problem in using the 14 hole in the kit when lowering the mast as I do not see any way I will be able to use the 16 hole when lowering the mast (no problem using the 16 hole when raising the mast though)

thanks again
Peter