Hobie 18 lost mast!

Well I found it again after jumping over the side!
A side stay failed whilst flying a hull
Not too much damage but an interesting first for me after 30 years of cats
Interestingly once I got it all back on board (was single handed) it was easy to do some jury rigging by leaning mast across wings although I wasn't that quick!!

A couple of questions for the experts

I'm pretty sure I've got a magnum it has the longer wings and mast looks a bit higher than a standard 18 nearby

Are the side stays 4 or 5mm?
The mast step attached to the front cross beam
How do I tell which type I have ? I've seen implied there are two types
Thanks
Nick

Check the FAQ for the differences between H18 models.

There are two types of wings, SX and Magnum. Magnum wings are the same length as thr distance between the front and back crossbars. SX wings are longer and extend about a foot in front of the front croaabar and all the way back to the transom.

The standard H18 mast is 28' long, the SX mast is 29'-6".

Only two different types of mast steps, one has two rivets and the other has four. Both types are functionally the same.

sm

Was it the shroud itself that failed, or a pin or anchor bolt?

If you have the longer style wings, those would be the SX wings. If you have a taller mast, that would be an SX mast. The mast step was changed to be more secure. The new mast step base has more surface area to contact the crossbar and spread out the load, it has two more rivets and the mast bearing is held in place by the top end of the dolphin striker post, rather than being held in place only by a screw on the old style. However, the mast step is functionally the same in both the old and new styles; you do not need an "updated" mast base for an SX mast or vice versa. If yours didn't fail, and the rivets are still secure, there's no reason that you have to change it. However, if you have the older style, it may be worthwhile to upgrade it at some point in the future.

The shrouds are 5/32" stainless steel, 1x19 configuration. If you have an SX mast, they will be slightly longer than a standard H18 shroud. It's best to just buy the Hobie parts than to make your own, or have one made for you.

http://static.hobiecat.com/2010_archive ... eGuide.pdf

_________________
Mike

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

H18 vs H18SX vs Magnum vs SX Wings FAQ: http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=12780

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