Broken jib traveler car

Last weekend my port jib traveler car broke. The rollers' assembly that is in the track has turned into pieces to be exact. The rest of the car is fine.

The new car is $120. But I see that the rollers' assembly is just attached to the platform of the car with two screws.

Is there a way or place where I can get the rollers only and not the whole car?

Thanks!

_________________
Yuri
Hobie 16
Laser Vago

I have blown up two of those,both while still under warrenty.I asked the same question a while back,all you really need is the plate.Makes sence they should just sell the replacement plate as the rest of the car is still good.

Is the warranty only a year Mike? That boat was delivered new in July of 2006. Todd blew out one of those cars last year in the same fashion. Sounds like its a borderline wear + tear item.

I have received my traveler car today. Thanks to my dealer and to Hobie for quick shipment.

Problem - the rollers are about 1mm wider than the old rollers. Huh

I cannot push the car in the wide opening near the mast base. I'm afraid I will have to hummer that in or file off the rollers to make them narrower.

Any thoughts, ideas, tricks?

_________________
Yuri
Hobie 16
Laser Vago

The rollers are the same as used for the main traveler and have never changed... that is... should never have changed. It is possible the brass wheels were not fully pressed on... or that the original cars were placed in the track without the step casting in place.

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

Ok, thanks Matt.
Now for practical approach I will try the following:
- tap on the brass wheels to try to press them more
- if above does not help, how much damage can I make to the rollers if I try to tap(hammer) the traveler in the track? Just wondering if I should not try this at all or if this OK.
- the last resort will be to try to fill off some brass from the rollers...

_________________
Yuri
Hobie 16
Laser Vago

I think the best approach (if the wheels can not be pressed in more) would be to widen the track opening a bit.

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

Thanks, Matt, will see if I can do this.

I have a suggestion for future jib cars and tracks:
- under the traveler platform there are two holes: for traveler sheet and shock cord. Make these holes at a wide angle. Now they are a a right angle. It is extremely difficult (or maybe my mechanical skills are very bad) to feed and pull through the sheet or cord through these holes. You can't grab the end to pull, and it is difficult to use a leading string because the size of the holes are too tight.
- make the wide open part of the track near the mast base an inch longer. The length of the assembled traveler is longer than the opening, so I cannot lay it flat on the track - mast base comes in the way.

_________________
Yuri
Hobie 16
Laser Vago

I will review with the factory.

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

We reviewed the car replacement here at the factory.

One of the nuts holding the flat plate has to be removed to get the car in. With that, it slips right it.

I would like to see photos of any failed cars. We have not seen that before (bearings breaking away from the car).

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

I do not have any pictures but the base plate just basically splits along the axis that the rollers are on.

I will send a picture of my broken car once I get back to it.

But I second what mmadge said - it splits along the axis.

_________________
Yuri
Hobie 16
Laser Vago

I am not a rocket scientist,but my theory is that by drilling out the holes to put the rollers in actually weakens the plastic.
I like the way the travelers work but if I have to be replacing them at $120 a shot every year or two the extra ease of use is not worth it.

Hobie Cat Australasia makes these cars and claims that they do not get failure reports. They typically are much harder on the equipment down there than North Americans... so any photos or sample would be appreciated to show them what is going on.

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

Just to confirm this - I worked like a charm. Thanks for this advice, Matt!

Now another question. I already mentioned that it was difficult to pull sheet and shock cord through openings in the car. Well, I'm still struggling with this.
I tie a thin rope around the end of the sheet, pull that rope through hole and then try to pull in the sheet. @#$%^&!!! I cannot do it.

Is there a trick here too?

PS I did not forget about a picture. I will do it.

_________________
Yuri
Hobie 16
Laser Vago