Mast base broke, again?!?

My mast base broke where it rivets to the mast. I went out a bought a brand new mast base and installed it using the existing holes in the mast. I drilled out the cast aluminum of the new base, but on the one side that is now broke, it only left a little bit of the "meat". SO, now that that broke, I really don't want to go buy another base again, so can I just drill new holes in a different location? Maybe 4 instead of 2? 2 toward the front, 2 toward the back? Even if I bought a new one, obviously the location in the mast is too high... Any thoughts? just fyi, I think it broke when stepping it down by myself and didn't unhinge the step pin while supporting the mast... but I don't know, that's the only thing I can think of.

This may be a dumb question but are you removing the hinge for raising and lowering the mast?

When I replaced the mast base on my H14 I think I added a couple of rivets to that. Mostly because I didn't want to use the old holes. But I think I did throw rivets back in the old holes as well.

yeppers. I usually remember to pull the pin before I push away from the shore. Probably not the best time... However, this day, I remembered once I stepped the mast. I'm pretty sure if this is the actual time the base broke, it would have been bringing it down. As an after thought, is there a way to keep it from "kicking" up as you are lowering it down?

Yes, just relocate and drill new holes. I drilled four. Use a stainless or monel rivet and some good sealer/adhesive around the base and rivets. I broke my base off when I was using the older H-16/H-14 mast hinge. That hinge can buckle in the wrong direction and cause your mast to overshoot the step. Either get the newer hinge or have a third body at the base of the mast to guide it when stepping.

Yeah, I bought my boat with a broken mast base... the mast actually had pulled through the rivets and messed it up badly.. so I drilled new holes in different spots on my new base and they have worked well. I think I planned on 4, but only used 3 as I couldn't find a good spot for the 4th hole to go.

Typical base failure is when stepping the mast up. The "ball" on the base over shoots the cup and contacts the front edge of the step casting. That stops the base from rotating as the rest of the (26 feet) of mast continues forward.

Solutions? Slow down as the mast nears vertical. Place one hand low on the mast and the other high. Pull on the low end and keep pushing up high to be sure the base sets into the cup.

You can also review the link itself. Old links allowed the over rotation. New links are stiffer (changed many years ago), but the can also stress the base if the mast / shrouds are set to allow the mast too far forward.

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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, shear brute strength pushing the base downward while lifting up the far end. This will lessen the load on the base. I too tore out a mast base that way. My solution was a bit different.
Whoever owned the boat before me filled up EVERYTHING with silicon. I cleaned up all the silicon, noting that there was a bit of play in the base to mast fit. I mixed up a stiff epoxy batch and liberally applied to mast and base. While the epoxy was still 'wet' I riveted the mast to the base trying to center as much as possible using two rivet guns. After that I stood the mast up vertically (against the house) to have all excess epoxy accumulate at the base. All has been well since then.

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Chris Walti

Fire Cat Captain
Sail #35826