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Hobie 16 mast stepping
http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=42593
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Author:  jpedsailing [ Tue May 08, 2012 6:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Hobie 16 mast stepping

I have an old Hobie cat and I ordered the mast stepper II. I ordered it because, a few days ago, with three people working together, we still managed to drop the mast on the way down. The mast was fine and so was the boat, but it makes me nervous to try it again without a mast stepper. So I have this mast stepper but I have a few problems: First, the boat's forward mast stand is only 28'' taller than the mast base, and the recommended height is 30'' above the mast base. Will I need a new forward mast stand or can I get by without? Secondly I have no trapeze set up, but I need to attach trap wires to the forward crossbar. Can I just tie a rope up to the tang where the shrouds are and then tie it to the crossbar just for stepping? I would pull it down after. Thanks in advance for you advice!

Author:  jmecky [ Tue May 08, 2012 7:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 16 mast stepping

30 inches is the minimum, but if you really want it to be easy, I would go with 40 inches. Instead of buying a new mast stand, maybe you can fabricate a post that pops up with a block at the end.

Yes you can use some ropes instead of the trap wires to steady the mast as it goes up. A problem is how do you untie the ropes from the tang? You can't just pass the rope through the tang, it needs to be tied off up there. You could tip the boat over on the beach to untie the stabilization ropes or use one of those shackles that releases by pulling on a spring loaded pin or a fancy rope system that will release.

Why did your mast fall when you had 3 people?

Author:  jpedsailing [ Tue May 08, 2012 10:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 16 mast stepping

Thanks for the input. As for the pop up post, would you put that in front of the mast stand and lay it down when not in use?
For the lines to stabilize the mast, I was thinking the following:
You start with a line twice as long as the distance from the forward crossbar to the tang. Next you tie the line to the forward crossbar in the corner where you can get under the tramp. Run that line up (or while the mast is down: backwards) to the tang and through the hole where the shrouds attach and then back to the forward crossbar at the same spot the other end of that line is tied. Do that on both sides. Now you raise the mast and attach the forestay. Untie one end of one of the lines from the forward crossbar and pull it up through the tang and back down to you with the line that is coming back down to the same spot. Now do that on the other side.
Do you think that could work?
As for the mast falling we were lowering it just fine but as it was going to click into the old style base base pin it just missed the pin completely and didn't hook in at all. So then it was not attached to the base and we couldn't hold it up on our own. Everyone including the boat was fine.

Author:  jmecky [ Tue May 08, 2012 10:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 16 mast stepping

Your rope system would work just fine. Rope is kinda good compared to trap wires because they give some, so you can start raising the mast with the ropes tight which will help maintain alignment.


As for the pop up post, I've imagined a sleeve bolted to the FWD part of the mast support. In the sleeve the post would sit with a block shackled to the top. When you need the post up, you pull a pin, raise the sleeve 40 or so inches and put the pin in the upper hole. The post would need to be a bit sturdy. I've been scavenging metal to make this system myself.

Also once I forgot to put the mast step pin in on my H18 when lowering the mast. I got about a third of the way down when the mast popped off the base. The tip of the mast when BAM into the concrete. I was alone and got lucky there were no injuries but more important was no damage to the mast, there built tough, Hobie tough.

Author:  srm [ Wed May 09, 2012 3:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 16 mast stepping

Long story short, you need to get a new mast base before you damage your boat or hurt someone.

That old hook/pin system was ditched by Hobie decades ago. You should be using the modern system that has a hinge which positively connects the mast base to the mast step during raising and lowering the mast. It will be MUCH SAFER.

I wouldn't be surprised if you have the same problem with the mast jumping out of the step while using the mast stepper if you don't change out the mast base.

Upgrade the mast base and you should have no problems stepping the mast by hand with three people. Heck, one average size man can usually do it alone.

sm

Author:  Johnnymoto [ Thu May 10, 2012 8:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 16 mast stepping

If somebody can help me with posting photos of my trailer/rig, I will show the simple but WAY EFFECTIVE rig that I built on my trailer for raising the mast.
Uses almost no effort from the two of us, and my girlfriend is not atletic.
And I have raised the mast by myself with little effort. I will be glad to share how I do it.

Author:  jmecky [ Thu May 10, 2012 8:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 16 mast stepping

To post a photo, you need to upload it to an external server, like photobucket or picasa. Once uploaded there you copy the link to your post, then highlight the link and push the Img button above. Then the photo will appear once posted, if you have problems you can email the photos to me and Ill do it.

Thank you.

Author:  Johnnymoto [ Tue May 22, 2012 5:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 16 mast stepping

Image

Author:  Johnnymoto [ Tue May 22, 2012 5:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie 16 mast stepping

Well, here is a photo of the simplest and cheapest rig I could come up with. All you need is a piece of 2"x4" good piece of wood, a small winch, and the metal base made of 2"x3" galvanized square steel with a welded plate ( which you can get on a Marine trailer shop ).
Questions ?.........

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