Mast Stepping

Hello everyone,
I recently purchased a 1976 Hobie 16, my first Hobie! Everything was in excellent condition on the boat except for the mast stepping system. On the base where the step link connects to the forward crossbar, the hole where the pin needs to go is broken making the step link ineffective. I tried to raise the mast with myself and one other person but was unable to get it straight up. The next time I’ll see the boat, I will have more bodies to help raise the mast. I would like to try to get through the summer without having to pull the boat off the beach to get it fixed. Any techniques or ideas on raising the mast without the step link would be appreciated.

Tie a line to the striker post and up to the mast cleats and around the mast. This holds the base of the mast while you raise, but you will need help setting it into the cup. That works well for bringing it down.

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

Hmmm, since the boat on the beach and it sounds like you do not have to lower the mast regularly you could try the following...
Bring the boat in a "capsized position" as in one hull on the beach one up in the air. Attach the mast, shrouds and forestay while the boat is in this position. Righten the boat on the beach.

Patrick

I will try that, the problem was getting the mast to stay down and not slide foward. Thank you guys for the quick advice and help -John

Place your mast in the posistion to be raised. Take a black rubber bungee, hook it over the downhaul cleat, bring it aroung to the front of the mast, over the side jib and main halyard cleats, cross it and hook to the dolfin striker. The lenght has to be was about 2-2.5 ft. maybe. I did this for years back in the late 70's early 80's. I think the tension even helped with the lifting. At your own risk of course.

I bought a '74 that had the old system, it was difficult and obvious why Hobie changed it later on, in reality changing the mast base was probably the easiest "modification" I made to my boat, it took 30 min, at the most.

Luke