Pin at bottom of Mast

No idea how it failed. I replaced that connection with a bolt and lock nut. I am not sure why that connection is not more permanent from Hobie. Waiting to hear if its a warranty issue.

(a few weeks later)...

Hobie covered it under warranty. That is standing up right there, folks. Getting a new crossbar next week.

Hi

On a Hobie Wave the pin should remain in. On other cats that may or may not be the case depending on the design.

My Hobie Wave manual (about 10 years old) revision C #3845-0010 states on page 10:
"For safety, the pin should remain in the mast base while sailing".

For myself, I sail in Moreton Bay, Queensland, which can get quite windy and choppy so I have my rig loose, maybe too loose, but I have seen the rig bouncing around while tacking into the waves and been very glad there was a pin in the base to keep the mast on. If the mast came off at the base, while tacking into the wind I am not sure which way it would go but it is possible the mast could came back and hit someone.

So I always keep the pin in, and have a loose lead tied to the mast to the pin so as not to lose it. I also always carry a spare in my kit.

The Wave mast rotates freely with the pin in.

However, I did sail another cat a few years ago where the pin was used only for raising and lowering the mast, and needed to be removed when sailing, but that is not the case with the Hobie Wave which has many very good features to simplify sailing that I appreciate every time I go out.

Hope that helps.

All the best
Owen

I accidentally dropped my mast while taking it down after my first sail with my new/used wave. Really dumb move on my part.

The pin was in and as the mast crashed off to the starboard side, it popped off the ball.

Upon inspection I couldn’t find any damage aside from a slightly bent pin. So, even pinned, with enough force the mast can pop off the ball.