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Mast Step Ball Failures
http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=2305
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Author:  mmiller [ Fri Sep 02, 2005 8:55 am ]
Post subject:  Loose?

Loose?

As described above... the post should likely be seated fully in the ball so the ball's threads are not taking the full load. I assume that the post is contacting the top / inside of the ball when threaded on tightly. If not, then marine tex or something can fill the gap and help to transfer the load from the ball to the top of the post.

Author:  ziggysdad [ Fri Sep 23, 2005 10:41 am ]
Post subject: 

I WAS WONDERING IF YOU GOT THE NEW MAST BALLS IN AND IF YOU NOTICED A DIFFERENCE?

YEAH THE MAST BALL IS LOOSE, IT WAS TIGHT BEFORE WE WENT SAILING AND WHEN WE CAME IN I NOTICED IT HAD BECOME LOOSE.

Author:  mmiller [ Fri Sep 23, 2005 4:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Not Yet

Not yet...

We will check with purchasing.

Author:  mmiller [ Tue Oct 18, 2005 12:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Step Balls

We determined that the molded French Step Ball was likely causing the problems. We have now received stock of US made step balls and have shipped all back orders.

Author:  Sailing-a-Ray [ Thu Oct 20, 2005 5:37 pm ]
Post subject:  How to Order

Matt,

How does one order US-made Tiger mast step ball?

Author:  flumpmaster [ Thu Oct 27, 2005 7:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Replacements

mmiller wrote:
Replacements are ordered. We may be able to get them in as soon and a couple weeks.


Matt, are the new balls in yet? I just looked at mine and it has canted forwards and looks to be on its last legs (2005 model Tiger, mast has been up and down at least 20 times).

Chris.

Author:  Mike Hill [ Wed Nov 02, 2005 8:57 am ]
Post subject: 

Matt,

Thanks for your attention to this topic. We lowered masts last weekend and my freind, Tom Paoli, had his mast ball pop off the post when he lowered his mast. Now I'm a bit fearful about mine too. I had this happen a few years ago with my H20 also.

I think me and Tom should get new mast balls prior to next season just to be on the safe side.

It seems to me there is no way you can stop the ball from rotating. Even if you get the ball fully on the post when you tack the mast is going to unscrew the ball a bit. I'm sure that this screwing and unscrewing of the ball is what causes the failure. I don't think epoxy would hold at all. I cant think of anything that would hold the ball in place?

Matt, are the mast posts on the Tiger the same threads as the other Hobies? I was wondering if they might have a finer thread that could be causing the issue?

Matt, again thanks for your attention to this.

Author:  mmiller [ Wed Nov 02, 2005 9:32 am ]
Post subject:  Tiger Balls

The US made Tiger step balls are here. Order from a dealer.

The threads are different on the Tiger from the other US made boats, perhaps increasing the problem. Hobie Cat France did something different with the ball and threads though. Looks like they mold the ball with threads and then when removing the fitting for the threads it turns a few degrees and pulls straight out. That left a large porting of the post hole without any threads at all. The material also seemed softer.

We just had our vendor duplicate the thread pitch and had them make the step balls the old fashioned way... where we have not had this problem.

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