I bent my siderail-wondering what did it?

I bought a used Hobie 14 Turbo. The second summer I had the boat, the starboard siderail became bent. It's bowed up about an inch to two inches higher than the port rail. I don't know exactly when it bent but I do sail in some fairly heavy winds.

I'm garnering opinions on how I did this and therefore how to avoid it getting worse or happening again.

I didn't have the cable that runs under the tramp that holds the jib blocks very tight. I'm thinking this was the main problem.

Could I also have had the tramp laced up too loosely?

Not likely the jib car cable or tramp tension. The bend "up" indicates a rig load. I suspect that the crossbar may possibly be corroded (inside) at the shroud connection point. This would weaken it. You may be able to seat some wood inside to take the load. Otherwise, you should likely replace.

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

I have two spair sidebars if you'd like one. Just let me know.

Actually...if you have two, can I have one? Mine is slightly bent, not quite as much as the one above. But I do sail in rough weather sometimes.