Pics of new boat (and potential problems)

#1
Sorry for the bluriness, but I hope you can see the cracks. Is this just in the gelcoat? What should I do about it?

#2
This looks normal, but is it? Is the hardware supposed to be able to rotate slightly? Should I do anything to build that back up before it wears through?

#3
Crack near pylon, just gelcoat or do you think it's down in the fiberglass too? What to do?

#4
Chips out of the side of the top part of the hull. I figure this happened because the guys had it docked. Would bondo and some gel coat take care of these?

#5
Another chip, in the back of the hull, down to the fiberglass. Would bondo and gel coat do the trick for this too?

#6
And what seems to be the biggest problem of all. One of the holes is busted for the mast stepper. Is there a way to step the mast without using that? Is the mast secure without using it?

TIA,

Lou

Most of the photos just show the superficial dings and cosmetic cracking that you'd find on an old boat. Nothing serious, although I can't tell anything on the first picture - not even what part of the boat it is.

The mast step should be replaced. The rotation stops are badly worn in addition to the broken out hole. The new steps are much, much better. They allow more mast rake, the stops are bigger & beefier and bottom of the cup has been profiled to help keep the bearing chip in place.

Thanks for the reply Mbounds.

The first pic is on the top of one of the hulls. If I remember correctly, it's in the middle somewhere (not either of the ends or near the pylons).

How do I determine whether the new mast base/step is the new or old version when I go to buy it? Also, what's involved in riveting the new base in? Where do I purchase the rivets? Do I need a special riveter or would any riveter work?

Thanks,

Lou

I was waiting for an answer about the same questions but the thread went away. I have cracking near my pylons as well and this week will be doing some work on those hulls. Is it worth it? Check out the pics...

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 7131_n.jpg

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Corey
82 H16 project complete

Hey Mbounds, how difficult is it to replace the mast step? Is it as simple as drilling the rivets and replacing the casting, or is there more? Specifically, how does the dolphin striker threading into it come into play?

_________________
'81 H16

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

That's ugly. And probably structural. Either there's some significant delamination in that area, or the pylon is loose. My money's on the pylon.

There's an article on replacing the mast step in a back issue of the Hobie Class News - http://www.hobiecat.com/hobieclass/eHCA_News01_02-05.pdf

The rivets must be stainless steel or monel - aluminum rivets do not have sufficient shear strength. You can get them from a Hobie dealer or order them on-line at a number of places.

For only four rivets, you can try the heavy-duty rivet tool found at Home D or Lowes, but your hands will hurt and it'll be shot after those four rivets. You can get a long-handled rivet tool from Harbor Freight for only $20 that will last longer:


Replacing the mast step is no big deal. The old one can put up a fight coming off the dolphin striker post, but as a worst case, you can split it off. (Cut a slot with a hacksaw on the same axis as the post - then hammer in a wedge. The casting is brittle and will break off.)

The new ones are obviously different than the old ones.

You can get it in any color you want, as long as it's black.

That pic of the pylon is definitely not just a superficial gel coat ding, as MB said. Does the pylon wiggle? The rest of the gelcoat dings look like not a big deal.

Look in the FAQ of this forum to see hoe to change a mast step.

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Sail Revolution
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Thanks Mbounds, I do actually have that riveter, thanks either to you or Jeremy at SCC, can't remember who recommended it first.

Exactly how much of an improvement is the new mast step model? So does the dolphin striker actually thread into it? There is nothing wrong with mine, but it is ~30 years old. I've done a lot to my boat in the three years I've had her, maybe this upgrade would make sense, maybe not.

_________________
'81 H16

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