Mast trouble...

Mike,

Thanks for the info. I'm new to hobbies and I'm still weary of capsizing. I think I'll invest in a bob one of these days just for the peace of mind.

I did indeed go through the standing rigging to check for any more issues. I do not want to have any more problems. The rest looks pretty good but I'm considering replacing it all. There boat is a '78, and I believe they are all original. So it's probably with a few bucks just for the reassurance

Thanks

-Nathan

I just used a good quality silicone, but (guru) Matt Bounds recommends Silkaflex. Keep in mind that it does no good to seal the masthead fitting (or base for that matter). The head is open to the inside of the mast, so it's the plug further down that needs to be seated and sealed properly.

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Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16

You definitely want to seal the mast first.

But instead of a Bob, you can use pool noodles around the shrouds to keep the boat from turtling. I use them on my Hobie 18 and they work quite well (I got the bigger ones)

Wow, the pool noodles is a really good idea. Get the right one, and you could decorate your boat with them as well!

A few Bob facts fyi:

A Bob offers the right amount of float for the least amount of volume and wind resistance (less that your crew's head and more streamlined). One small diameter noodle on a shroud has more surface area exposed to the wind and will cause more drag.

The Bob is also placed at the most effective point (mast head) which offers the best lever arm for holding the boat up from turtling. This flotation becomes effective right away in a capsize. Any flotation placed lower on the rig will not help float the mast until the boat is further towards turtle. That flotation would have to have more volume as the lever arm decreases and the weight of the upper hull presses down more and more.

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

Since I solo most of the time, I don't want to turtle if I can help it since the top of the mast may end up hitting the bottom and get either bent or stuck in the mud/sand.

After a capsize, Baby Bob makes it a lot easier to right the boat since it keeps all of the mast above the water so the wind can get under more of the sail (particularly near the mast head where you get the most lift from the wind).

Even in a pitchpole, the Baby Bob helps to keep the boat from turtling since the boat usually ends up on it's side.

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

So i finally opened up the mast and found that the foam plug had completely disintegrated sometime between now and 1978. and the plate that is supposed to seal the mast was maybe 1/3 of silliconed. so a little spray foam and a caulk gun fixed me right up. i tested the mast in a canal and its not leaking anywhere now. i am able to capsize and right the boat with no trouble now, however i do still use my little boat fender on the top of the mast to keep from turtling. I have the old style masthead with a single pulley with a hole in the middle. so i tie the fender tight on to the top of the mast. it looks a little silly but it works so well i can't bring myself to take it off. i tested righting with and without it, i don't notice any additional weight when its on, but when it is off i cannot right the boat by myself. It keeps the mast head right at the surface so i have to fight the boat less to get it out of the water.

Maybe this whole college thing will pay off and an engineering job will let me afford a proper hobie bob one of these days.

Thanks again for falls help. i really appreciate it,

Nathan

If your mast is water-tight, turtling shouldn't be an issue. I use to sail solo most of the time and provided many viewers with the entertainment of my capsizing but I have never turtled.......not even with a solid trampoline in 20 mph+ winds. I've done full-on pitch-poles but the mast always seemed to surface. No need for training wheels (Hobie Bob). Just saying !!!

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Happy Sailing,

David