Mast Step Rivets Lifting - Serious Problem?

Hi there,

I'm currently looking at buying a used H16, and I've found one that looks pretty good, but the owner mentioned that the mast step rivets have lifted out of the crossbeam. It seems like it would be a fairly easy fix, but in one of the photos it looks like it may have been repaired previously with additional rivets put in.
How important is it for the mast step to be riveted down to the crossbeam securely? Am I looking at any significant structural issues here?
The boat probably won't be used for racing.

Here's a picture of the mast step.



Here are a few other pics of the boat. Any advice or thoughts appreciated!

If you get the boat for a good price, it is easy enough to replace the front crossbeam. There are a bunch on eBay. What state are you in? Probably a bunch of forum members have parts to sell, either here or over at the Beachcats forums.

_________________
Bryan
Poplar Grove, IL
1977 Hobie 16 (died a spectacular death https://youtu.be/Y7O22bp2MVA)
1978 Hobie 16

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I am in New Zealand, so reasonably priced spares are few and far between. Do you think the crossbeam would need replacement? Or could I just pop some larger rivets in there if the rivet holes have enlarged.
The seller is asking $2000 NZD which is ~$1400 USD.

Pop larger rivets or in new locations. No problem.

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

Sounds like a nice easy fix then. I wonder if maybe the rivets in there are aluminium and have just deformed and pulled due to stress. Is there a sheath or grommet that can be used to prevent galvanic corrosion using stainless steel rivets?

They would be stainless and just an issue of corrosion.

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

Had a similar problem, but it had been fixed in the past with stainless sheet metal screws. I had mine welded and then trimmed it so the top surface was parallel with the surface that contacts the tube and put 2 1/4-20 (6mm) socket head cap screws though a piece of aluminum plate that I put in the slot in the back of the beam. i would like to make a 2 piece block that clamps around the beam to make it more stable and solid.