Maiden Voyage

Hey guys, took my boat out finally, for the first time!

It was awesome. It was myself and one experience friend, and one friend with no experience on sail boats at all.

Winds were about 15 mph, water was low 60's air was mid 60's and sunny.

We took it out in the bay for about an hour and a half to two hours.

All went smoothly, but a couple of questions arose:

1) It seemed like there was a creaking sound coming from stress on the pylons, is that normal?

2) The mast stepper sides bent outwards. We have no idea why this would have happened, it wasn't crazy waves or wind.

All in all, a great day, and we are going to try going out tomorrow as well.

Lou

1. I think that is fairly common. Mine creaks as well. May need to do a little shimming between the pylons and corner castings. I plan to this winter.

2. You did remove the pin after stepping the mast, correct? The pin must be removed and the step link either lowered out of the way or removed all together to allow the mast to rotate during saiing. Just remember to reconnect before lowering the mast. I did it once and nearly dropped the mast! Have never forgotten it since.

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'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

1) Good to know, I'll have to look into how to do that.

2) We did not remove the pin - will do next time though!

Thanks,

Lou

Be sure to strsighten your step link, but be careful that it is not compromised in any way as far as metal fatigue from bending. If so, replace it. Its not worth dropping a mast and hurting someone or damaging adjacent vehicles much less the mast itself. If in doubt, buy a new one. Some guys use a smaller phillips head screwdriver as a temporary pin while raising and lowering the mast. I never have, but seeing that screwdriver in the link would be a reminder to remove it during sailing I think. Again, just don't forget to re-insert when lowering the mast. My number one question to myself before raising the mast is "are there any power lines around?", but my number one question to myself when lowering the mast is, "Is the the pin in the mast step link?".....and power lines too!

_________________
'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

Second day out report:

Little warmer than yesterday (about 72*F air, low 60's water) and about 10mph winds.

All went well, except I noticed a small tear in the main sail, easily repairable. That, and when we were taking the rudders off the boat, my friend dropped the bolt that connects the rudder to the tiller because the nylon nut was missing, so I'll have to order one of those. Any clue why that would have happened?

Thanks,

Lou

Hmm Rudder doesn't connect directly to the tiller per se. Maybe you meant the upper casting. It should be a nylock lock nut. Just put on a new lock nut and bolt and don't tighten too tight. Dont want to break the upper casting. If you order from a dealer, the numbers are 8040341 (bolt) and 8050311 (nut) if its the parts I think you are refering to. Can be found here. http://2010.archive.hobiecat.com/suppor ... _14-16.pdf

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'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

Baycats in Ocean City can hook you up with parts. Where were you sailing at? I was in great egg all weekend wishing i had mine finished so I could have went sailing.

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'73 hobie 16 restored 2011
'00 Seaswirl fishin boat

Reelknotty: We were in the bay between Tuckerton and LBI.

ET: You are correct, it's the casting. (I was just referring to it as the tiller, whoops). Thanks for pointing that out. If I do end up getting it from a hardware store, am I looking for Stainless steel?

Definatly Stainless

If it was the original nylon nut they are pretty flimsy and tend to dry rot and crack. At least every one of them was cracked on mine. Going to replace them all with Stainless Nylon lock nuts.

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'73 hobie 16 restored 2011
'00 Seaswirl fishin boat

This is what you want, stainless steel with locking nylon insert.

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1990 "Formula 1" H16 (# 009)

Alright, I went to the local hardware store and bought 4 of them and replaced all the old, cracked nylon nuts with nice new stainless nylock nuts.

I was looking for a few more carabiners while I was there, but they didn't have the small ones our boat uses (they had them a little bigger but they were $16 each, is that normal price?) The ones with the eyelet were about 1/3 of that price, anyone know why (same brand, same size)?

most standard Ace type hardware stores don't have much of a selection when it comes to Stainless clips, pins, and shackles especially that are strong enough for my liking. and yes they are expensive.

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'73 hobie 16 restored 2011
'00 Seaswirl fishin boat