Mast not clicking down on TI

I had my TI out today with the new rudder for the first time. WOW! The rudder worked great. One problem that I've been having though is getting the mast to click down. I push and push down on it and it just never seems that it is "in". I double checked to make sure no debris was in the mast cup and the mast holder on the TI and it looked clean but I couldn't get it to go all the way down. When I came in from sailing today, I tried to reef the sail in as I approached the beach but the mast wouldn't turn....it was jammed. I brought the TI home and cleaned all the pieces really good but I still can't get it to "click" in.

I heard about adjusting a "v" something but I don't know if that applies to the TI.

Anybody have any ideas?

Is it possible the mast drum (what the reefing line wraps around) has moved up?

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

I had the same problem and KB is spot on, the mast collar had slipped up. I have moved it back down but I am guessing it will ride up again unless persuaded to stay with some sort of bonding agent.

Cheers

I have edited this post because I missed that new AIs and TIs should not be adjusted the way I suggest as Matt points out. Sorry about my mistake. The V-frame adjustment only applies to old AIs. The V-frame connect the crossbar (with mast bearing plate) with the bottom of the mast receiver. By turning the turnbuckles on the V-frame the distance between the mast receiver and the bearing plate can be adjusted. I am certain that your mast collar is riding on the bearing ring and therefore the mast is not going into the receiver properly. The mast shall rest on the pin at the bottom of the receiver and not on the bearing plate which is not meant to take the vertical force from the mast. Furling will be so much easier if the mast turns on the pin. Do not forget to tighten the nuts that locks the turnbuckles.
You will find the various parts depicted on http://2010.archive.hobiecat.com/suppor ... _Parts.pdf

In the TI manual it says: "3. As the mast collar goes into the bearing, you should hear the lock snap over the collar. When installed, there should be a 1/8”-1/4” gap between the collar on the mast and the plastic bearing ring." I found it best to adjust the V-frame with the mast in the receiver.
Manual: http://2010.archive.hobiecat.com/suppor ... Manual.pdf

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Bo Karlberg
Taby
Sweden
Sail Tandem Island No P1787 in the Stockholm Archipelago (some 40,000 islands and rocks)

Does not adjust using the "V" brace on V2 crossbars. That is all TIs and 2011 AIs.

The cup is now bolted to the crossbar which indexes the cup depth. Has to be the the furling drum. You can also add washers under the lever if it is simply a slight tolerance issue.

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

Thanks Matt (and everyone else).

I think if I add a washer it will do the trick. The lever seems to only need about another 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch to clear and lock in.

Is there a particular distance that the furler drum should be set from the bottom of the mast?

Thanks again for everyone's input.

I have edited my post 29 May 2011.

_________________
Bo Karlberg
Taby
Sweden
Sail Tandem Island No P1787 in the Stockholm Archipelago (some 40,000 islands and rocks)