Comptip or not

My 1979 Jeep is the same way, Matt. I just rebuilt the carb this week, as well as dropped the oil pan to replace the seal and oil pump, flushed the coolant system, replaced every component in the fuel line system, and a host of other things. I can handle my car, and I can handle my boat.

As for the comptip mast Mr. Pancakes, you should go with the straighter of the 2.

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Trey Brown
www.velocitysailing.com
2006 N20 1017
1998 H16 102698
www.sunjammers.com ftw!

Buy an older diesel. It's like magic, no carb, no throttle plate, no jets, no floats, no plugs, no wires, no cap/rotor, just a pump and a valve. If it's got enough compression it'll run.

I drove and 86 suburban with a Chevy 350 in it all through HS, that thing was easy to work on. I mean I don't thinking there was a single part that I couldn't take off with a 5/8 inch socket and some elbow grease.

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

The only problem is that my '78 Chevy was new when I got it.

This is my new ride (and tow vehicle):


It's more computer than car. You can program the way the windows, interior lights, door locks, and a whole bunch of other stuff works right from the center console.

Even the roof mechanism is controled by the computer. It'll tell you when it's OK to operate it, re-align it - even lock it out if it's too cold.

My new tow vehicle. Hitch not installed yet.

I could stand in the engine compartment(350 Rocket) on my 72 Olds Cutlass to work on it.

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Pat Bisesi
Fleet 204 Syracuse, NY

I think I'm the only person in North America to get a trailer hitch on a 2008 Volvo C70.

At least it cost like it was the only one.

Stupidpancakes...

I've seen the comptip work first hand. I was at the Presidio Invitational in San Francisco in the early 90's when I witnessed Eric Rodal's Hobie 20 being rolled on beach wheels into a power line. The mast came in contact with the power line resulting in bright blue arcing flashes and buzzing sounds. Surely Eric and his crew were dead. But in reality the only damage done were a few burn marks on the comptip. Those guys were extremely lucky.

Keep the comptip, be aware and look up when launching

I'v been thinking about this for a while now, here is where I am at.

1) even with a comptip, if you do hit a power line, there is a good chance dodo will still hit the fan.

2) my problem is, the places I sail at I know there are no power lines, so I have gotten very complacent about them.

I could very easily see a very smart, aware type person that normally sets up there boat in a safe area doing something stupid.

How often do you go to a lake or water front where nobody else has setup a boat. I for some reason do not see this as the problem.

My guess is dodo hits the fan/powerlines when one sets up their boat in your yard or someplace that is not normal. for them.

When in new areas be extra aware of what is going on around and above you!!!!

If you are not racing, keep the best mast, if the AL mast is bent, how much? Replacing cleats is not that hard, if the Comptip is in better shape, keep it.
Just my thoughts.

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Sail Like you Have a Pair
Bluish gray 73 - 83 H16
Super Nice Yellow 84 H18

I have seen guys that have set up their boats in the same spot every time, back their boat up and catch the top of the mast on a tree and be suprised by it. Shi# happens everyday. I have airbags in my car, and I don't plan on ever using them. But you never know.....

I'm right there with you. I sail from handful of spots and that's about it.

I had one of those, ran like Ummm well ....

my 30+ year old Hobie 16 Just kept on going.

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Sail Like you Have a Pair
Bluish gray 73 - 83 H16
Super Nice Yellow 84 H18

And all this time I thought All Aluminum Masts were just Gods way of adding a little chlorine to the gene pool.
<grin>

My boat flipped and the comp tip got stuck on a shoal. The strain cracked my mast where it joins the tip. This probably wouldn't have happened with an all aluminum mast. I had it TIG welded but it was never right again. The sail always got stuck at that joint going up or down. Not a major issue but, then again, neither is being electrocuted for me since I never take my boat off the beach.

Don't forget lightning. That will kill you too. Even on the beach.

Hobie's make a really lousy Faraday cage. If anyone is counting on a Hobie to protect you on the water during a thunderstorm, prepare to be part of the next Darwin report.

Brian C