Can't Keep a Mast Chip In....

In my 9 years of Hobie sailing I've never had an issue with chips coming out, until about a month ago.

Just stepping the mast seems to be enough to make the chip work it's way to the back. I bought the '89 three seasons ago and haven't changed anything, so I'm even more perplexed at to why this has started happening in the past couple months.

I drilled the "chip keeper" holes last week, but they didnt' seem to help at all. 1/8" bit, 1/8" deep.

Anyone have any other ideas?

They work great in the new castings. Chip keeper holes will only hold the chip once compressed in there. To hold while stepping you can press in with the handle of a screw driver and tap the blade end with a mallet to start shaping and jamming them in.

Maybe be cautious while stepping the mast to ease the base into the step. Hold one hand on the forward side of the mast down low... the other high to pull the base back before pushing the final bit.

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