Lost my balls

Hi everyone, just bought two AI's for X-mas (one for my Wife and one for me) they are used 09's. In transporting them upside down hers was fine, mine lost half the mast bearing balls is this a normal thing or is there something wrong with my boat? And thanks to all the help here to decide to buy the AI's. Cold and raining here, can't wait for the lauch and my first sail! The Wife already took hers for a peddle.
Mike

Hi Mike and welcome to the forum. This is not unheard of. I believe the problem may be in the machining of the metal surfaces which hold the balls in. If they are not parallel the gap can be large enough to let the balls out. Pretty sure there's a post about this someplace. I'll try to find it.

The way a few of us avoid loosing our balls is to stuff a piece of plastic "pool noodle" into the mast receiver during transport.

See this post from Stringy-
http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=14931&p=80727&hilit=mast+balls#p80727

And this post which covers a few issues and fixes-
http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=12356&p=68770&hilit=mast+balls#p68770

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Hey Mike - I'd say that given the season and your geographic location, you're lucky you didn't loose all your balls
Hope you've got a dry suit

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Mickey
2016 AI Hibiscus
purchased NEW Nov 2021 - My 5th
Adventure Island Sailing since 2008

Mike

Check my fix w/ pics.

viewtopic.php?f=75&t=8149&hilit=90610111

The 2 halves making up the roller unit has too large a gap. Sometimes just tightening up the screws will make the "sandwich" tighter. If not there may be a burr or mold mark on the plastic that needs a little attention.

Yakaholic

Hi and thanks to everyone for the help. I do feel a burr in the ball track, still have to order more ball bearings but the fix is on the way. Dry suits are a great idea as even in summer the water tempature is no higher than 50'F but we're a hardy bunch up here in the great white north. AAARRRRR....
Cheers Mike

O-U-C-H !!!

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Fly'n C Lion