LeeE wrote:
Still I'm surprised that such a failure could occur and that all that force is being applied to one small bolt.
Lee
The bolt is only subject to force if it loosens. It pulls down the mast assembly over two brass inserts that form nubs on the hull bottom. The nubs take all the force of the mast and as long as the bolt is tight there are usually no issues.
The socket bolt needs to be checked for tightness as part of regular maintenance. The bolt screws into a brass fitting moulded into the forward nub of the hull. It should be loctited into the brass fitting but it can work loose. The locknut pulls the mast assembly down and both nut and screw need to be tight.
A few years back there were failures and Hobie changed the socket bolt material to make it stronger.
https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=36284