Aft Crossbar

Hey folks, just looking for some H16 wisdom. I have a 1983 that the hulls are in great shape and everything else is shipshape too. However, I would like to change out the back crossbar to take advantage of the integrated traveler channel with the larger brass bearings. Mine does not move on it's own without a stiff kick or two. Are the black ones the same length, shape and will fit in my old corner castings? Anyone done this before? Thanks all.

I have the same problem with my '79 H16. I am planning to replace just the traveler car this spring. From my understanding, what you are planning to do should also work, but I don't have first hand experience with it.

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Steve
2017 Hobie 16 "Cayman" sails 114795
1985 & 1973? Hobie 14 "Sea & Ski"

I'm pretty another option would be to just replace the traveler track itself with the deeper version. This might be easier and more cost effective then replacing the entire crossbar.

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I did not know that there was a deeper version. I have not seen it mentioned in my parts catalog or mentioned in any other post. That would be a great solution. I will do some searching and see if I can locate the deeper track. Thanks.

http://www.murrays.com/50-50252021.html

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Holy smokes!! With those prices that would just about be my entire sailing budget for the year. $159 for the track, plus $20 for being oversized, then the new traveler for $100. I am a skinflint and a mizer combined, but I think that I could do better than that with a used crossbar and traveler. I just have to find them. Or with a small lathe and some brass rod I could probably rebuild my current traveler with oversized rollers. Thanks all for your information. gotta love this forum.

I suspect you may end up waiting a while before you come across a used rear crossbar with the integrated traveler track.

You can't put over-sized rollers into the old style track - they will not fit. Your best bet if you want to do this on the cheap, is probably to just clean out your current track and rebuild the bottom end of your traveler. Make sure there are no burrs on the track and that it hasn't been damaged from trailering. The old traveler design works reasonably well when all the parts are in good condition.

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You can install a deep profile track (rivet on) if you really want the new style car.

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

Yes, I will probably end up just rebuilding my original set-up. There are some bumpy spots in the middle of the track but I may be able to smooth those out a bit. No damage from the mast though. I will have to build a special tool for the blending job on the underside surface of the rail. Then clean and CRC the whole sucker and see how it works. Thanks all for the guidance. I'll still keep my eyes peeled for that black aft cross bar.

I am not a big fan of using petroleum based lubricants for the jib and main traveler tracks since this type of lubricant tends to attract dirt, etc.

Instead, I just put a couple squirts of Dawn Direct Foam on the tracks each time I set up my boat. It works great as a lubricant, keeps the tracks and travelers clean and leaves no residue.

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

Dry silicone or the new Hobie Multi-Lube are also good choices.

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

CRC is a silicon based dry lubricant that works great in sail tracks, blocks, and lots of other places on the boat. Yeah, grease and oils are big No No's on a boat. I have used lithium grease on the internal workings of a winch though.