Securing mast while trailering

I just bought a 1975 Hobie 16 (with trailer) for $400, which seemed like a steal, since there were no major soft spots and all the pieces were there. There were some old hull repairs, and it won't win any beauty contests, but it seems like it will be fun nonetheless. The old owner kept meticulous records of everything done to the boat since new, which is neat. It even has the original manual.

Anyway, I am not certain how people typically secure the mast on these while trailering? I can clearly tie the mast down to the cradles, but it seems like there is a potential for the mast to slip backwards. Is that unlikely?

Also, what do you normally do with the shrouds and trapeze lines when trailering? currently, they are secured to the mast--which is the same way I transport my 470--but I see a lot of people suggesting coiling the lines and securing them to the trampoline.

Pad under the mast and tied to the crossbar. Tied to the forward mast support (has one on the trailer?) Be sure the boat is secure and not able to move forward of aft when breaking and accelerating. If the boat can move... the mast is holding it and likely will slip at the rear beam attachment. That can cause the pad to shift and mast to get damaged.

Wires doubled over and woven into the tramp laces. Small line or bungee can secure.

I did a video years ago that still is good info on this stuff:

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

It really depends on your method for tying down the mast. On my H17, I have occassionally noticed that even with the lines very tight, the mast has a tendency to slip backwards during long trips. So now I always tie an extra line from the mast tang forward to the tramp lacing or front crossbar. This ensures that the mast will not move back.

For securing the rigging, there are numerous different techniques that people use, but probably the most common is to wrap the rigging into 12"-18" coils and secure it to the hiking straps or tramp lacing with line or bungee cord. Another option is to disconnect the shrouds from the sides of the boat and wrap them around the mast and then tie securely. Pretty much any method that keeps the wires secure and doesn't cause damage (kinks, abrasion) is ok.

sm

I have found that using a rubber tarp style bungee provides extra friction on the mast to prevent sliding. As I do not completely trust elastic straps I use a backup tied line as well, but the rubber straps prevent fore and aft migration.
Glenn

_________________
Glenn Davies
'81 H-16 Cat Fever/Blue Hulls
'83 H-14 Cat Fever/Blue Hulls

I found this thread to be helpful in making my own mast cradle for the rear crossbar.
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=47116&start=0#p206380
Glenn

_________________
Glenn Davies
'81 H-16 Cat Fever/Blue Hulls
'83 H-14 Cat Fever/Blue Hulls

That is typically because the boat rolled forward... not that the mast slips aft. Brake hard... boat moves forward. Result is the mast is moved aft at the rear beam. Tie you trailer lines to stabilize the boat on the trailer.

I secure the forward lines and then shove the boat hard forward to get them tighter... then do the rear.

Or tie a line from the forward beam to the aft trailer crossbar and tension hard.

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

My boat doesn't move on the trailer. I use four individual tie down points at each corner of the crossbars. The forward tie downs are angled slightly backwards and the aft tie downs are angled slightly forward so all tie downs are opposing each other and the boat is locked in place.



I do the exact same thing.

I think the reason the mast slips is because I wrap the mast with carpet for protection at the forward and aft tie downs and no matter how tight the lines are tied, the carpet doesn't provide enough friction to keep the mast from slipping as the trailer bounces along the road. Anyway, the line from the mast tang to the front crossbar is easy and the mast never slides back.

sm

Thanks for the replies. I trailer a dinghy, but the foot of the mast sits inside the boat. This is the first time I've had one that hangs off both ends, and it feels insecure.

I usually disconnect my shrouds from the hulls and then stretch them and the forestay out past the mast base and then strap them to the mast using six 12" sail ties (bungees with yellow balls, from West Marine) before I disconnect the mast base from the step link. This makes it a lot easier to move the mast around on and off of the trailer and helps to keep the shrouds, forestay and main halyard from getting twisted or kinked.





To keep my mast from sliding backwards, I use 2 regular bungee cords hooked to the mast tang, over the front crossbar and connected to the dolphin striker rod. I also have 2 bungee cords at the rear cross bar (hooked to the tramp's rear lacing) and two at the trailer's front post support for the mast.

_________________
Tim
84 H16
82 H16
87 H14T
Tortola Sails: 115222
Blue Prism Sails: 88863
Clearwater, FL