New "TO ME" H-18, Mast Concern

Just bought a H-18 I found on craigslist. SUPER excited since i sold my old H-14t when we had our second son and have been shopping for another for 10 years...

We cleaned her up yesterday and found many things that need some attention, but the mast is what worries me.

I think its a comp-tip mast, with a distinct change in material about 3/5th from the bottom. That material feels like un-cared-for 'glass, and there are two holes near the top athwart the spar.
img coming as soon as i can figure out how to upload...

I know the boat was well used by the owner before the guy i bought it from, he parked it in the yard when he bought it - under the S.Florida Sun - two years ago.

So - please let me know what you collectively think about this mast. I'm sure that some cleaning and maybe paint? would do the trick.

Thanks,

_________________
Rick Matos
Miami, FL

Hobie 18

Pics would definitely be helpful.

Holes in the mast are not a good thing. The mast should be totally sealed so that, in the event of a capsize, it doesn't fill with water and cause the boat to be unable to be righted.

If the comptip is left exposed to the sun, the composite material will deteriorate. Hobie recommends that the comptip be covered to protect it when not being used. That said, there are a lot of comptips out there that have been left uncovered for many years are are still OK. If the outside surface is in bad shape, I would recommend you lightly sand the outside surface of the comptip using 150-220 grit paper to remove any loose fibers and create a smooth surface. Then paint with krylon or other spray paint. Note, you will probably have to re-do the paint every few years, especially if you leave the mast uncovered.

sm

Agreed, pix are required.

Did the original owner run a spin?
Those holes could be for the bail....
I drilled my bail hole at the back of the mast, near the track.
Scariest drilling I've ever done.

enjoy your new H18.

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

These compmtips are very tough even if they are faded. I would just look for damage that would compromise integrity. The holes could be an issue depending on a few things (location, damage or drilled). Yes, pics would help.

Other than that I just look to see if it is mounted well in the mast. Loose would be an issue but even that can be resolved.

_________________
H18 '85
H18 '89 "Knotty Passion"
H20 '96 "20/20 Vision"
Fleet 259 Central Coast California

Thanks guys. The comptip looks sound to me (except for looking so weathered), the holes were done with a drill, pretty clean and used (for whatever they were for).
see img below:

_________________
Rick Matos
Miami, FL

Hobie 18

Probably not structural but defiantly needs attention. Looks like someone was experimenting with a spinnaker.

The issue is that the tip will flood if you capsize the boat and you won't be able to get it up. The repair depends on how anal you are ........

My fix would be with fiberglass and proceed similar to the method SRM mentioned above. This boat doesn't look maintained very well anyway, and if you are proceeding down the same track, you could fill the holes with a compound that would seal the penetration.

Your call really. If it were my primary boat, depending on the condition of the rest of the mast, I would replace the tip or mast as they are pretty available. A larger priority for me would be the EPO rudders pictured. They need lots of love or replacement....
....or maybe the Texas plate under the trailer....or the wood bunks under the boat.......

_________________
H18 '85
H18 '89 "Knotty Passion"
H20 '96 "20/20 Vision"
Fleet 259 Central Coast California

Thanks,

Spinnaker sounds like fun

I've cleaned the mast the best i can and think that some love and paint will do the trick for the mast-head. Are the holes where you would typically mount the tang for a spi? why two holes, would the shroud tang have moved up too?

any ideas?

_________________
Rick Matos
Miami, FL

Hobie 18

Sure, a spinnaker is fun, however it can also be a handful.
In the old days, the spins were cut 'fuller', like a keelboat spin, and the halyard ran through a pulley attached to the tang.
Today, the spins are much 'flatter', and the pulley sits higher on a bail.
(Lookup the Hobie Tiger or Wildcat manuals, and you'll see the difference).

Your H18 needs a lot of TLC, cleaning, mast sealing, and so on.

The bunks are fine, BTW, and prevent 'dents' from forming in the hulls.

enjoy

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

Thanks again gentlemen.

Should I seal the Comptip with an epoxy, or just clean and paint?

How about these EPO rudders? How to best refinish?

_________________
Rick Matos
Miami, FL

Hobie 18

I agree, I did the same thing for bunks, and just covered them in carpet. Works great! I have the same trailer. Always makes me nervous on the highway, but I've trailed it thousands of miles at this point, so maybe I'm just paranoid. The first year was scary though, things always seemed to work themselves loose on me! Make sure you keep things clipped to the trampoline, and strap the boat down good!

I'm curious if anyone recommends just filling the hole with a rivet and putting sealant on it? Or maybe trying to epoxy a plug in place there?

The EPO's could use a lot of work... but be prepared for lots of sanding, and black sanding debris that gets all over everything!

I think the two holes are just because the previous owner was experimenting with placement of the spinnaker tang. They're all custom setups, so who knows exactly what he had going on there.

I agree a spinnaker sounds fun, but I've heard that it's imperative to keep the mainsheet tight, or else risk snapping the mast. John runs a spinnaker though, he can speak more to the finer points of spinnaker sailing.

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Mike

'79 H18 standard 'Rocketman II' sail #14921 RIP
'78 H18 (unnamed) sail #14921
'08 H16 sail #114312
'97 H21SC sail #238

"The finer points of spinnaker sailing".... you don't know how much I laughed when I read that.

Our third year with a spin, and we're still learning.
Sure, we know the theory, (which is why my 18SX is called "In Theory...")
however, to use a spin properly takes a lot of time and mileage, and courage.
I am still too nervous to hike out and steer.
Maybe I'll try it at this week's races.
What a challenge when going 'hotter' and then back to 'cooler'.
(Across the wind vs more downwind).

You are correct that because a H18 has no backstay, you need to keep the mainsheet in 'tight' so that the sheets act as a backstay,
otherwise when running under spin, the mast will bend/break when you get hit by a puff.

And what a rush when the H18 accelerates.....

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

To repair the holes, one possibility would be to find a piece of fiberglass rod the same diameter as the hole, epoxy it in the hole and then trim to length. Then sand it flush with the outside of the mast. Finally, laminate a couple layers of glass over the plug to seal it up and ensure it stays put.

sm

maybe a fiberglass rudder pin?

or

WaterWeld Epoxy Putty by JB weld

Thank you guys again,

I like the rivet idea - that leaves the mounting position available for the future.

_________________
Rick Matos
Miami, FL

Hobie 18

Personally I would fill them. Having just put on a spinnaker kit (f18 style) from surf city catamaran those holes are not anywhere near the correct position for spinnaker hardware.

_________________
2001 H18 w/SX wings & spinnaker #16740 (purchased new)
1989 H18 w/SX wings #14565 (purchased new, sold 2000)
Would buy another if Hobie would build it.