sun E sailor wrote:
Snakebite1969,
I understand your concern exactly. As far as I know, the new style X-Bar was installed be on all the 2012 TI's. If your's does not have it and you're seeing the "grey line - crack", take some pictures and contact your dealer. Hobie (Thank You), has been very good about replacing these.
I have read this and other threads regarding xbar slippage and weld failure with interest and some alarm. My 2011 TI has developed marked lateralslippage with tacks, and I have checked and adjusted all components to no avail. I have tightened the bolts on the crossbar saddles as far as I am game, checked the pin in the bottom of the mast receiver, checked the bolt and locknut at the base of the v-frame, adjusted the vframe to give the correct clearance for the furler spool, and checked the bolts that go through the xbar into the mast receiver. Still clunking, and moving up to 1/2 an inch on port tack, and 1/4 inch on starboard (limited by the mainsheet jam cleat base, whose shear resistance I am concerned about)
Now I find, as might be predicted, that the weld joining the mast support to the xbar is cracking at the corners on both sides. I have the old single-weld style xbar.
I will seek replacement through my dealer before a complete failure dismasts me, but I can't see the point in replacing the xbar if it is destined to clunk back and forth until it cracks again, or something else fails, like the screws holding the jamcleat.
I did try my own dodgy fix, rivetting some scrap aluminium onto the xbar using the existing holes to make some stops abutting the saddles. This did reduce the amplitude of the movement, particularly on the starboard tack, but there was still obvious movement. The only logical fix, as some others have said, is a rigid connection between the xbar and the hull.
This thread has suddenly gone quiet for many months, which is surprising. Have I missed something? Has a fix arrived? Or has everyone given up and bought jetskis?