Hobie 16 mast base removal and installation

Do you have to disassemble the tramp frame to do this?

No the boat can stay togeather.


Thanks,
Brad Stephens
www.sunjammers.com
Hobie Division 15 Chairman
Authorized Hobie/Vanguard/Hunter Dealer
[email protected]
850-235-2281
Panama City Beach, FL

There's a "How To" article in the Jan/Feb '05 issue of the Hobie Class News - page 14.

You can download it here: http://www.hobiecat.com/hobieclass/eHCA_News01_02-05.pdf

I have used the above method to replace 2 mast bases without much bother...but both times the mast base was no reusable.

The problem is getting the mast base off the dolphin striker post as the screwthreads get corroded in.

My first attemt on a very old boat resulted in hacksawing a slot so I could force a screwdriver into the slot to split the mast base off the post.

Second time was on a newer boat and there was some movement in he threads, so the mast base up was filled with WD40 and let to soak for 5 days....then with a pair of vise grips I was able to separate them.

Don't bother too much with marking the holes before removal, as I drilled holes in new positions, ensuring the holes are fresh and correctly sized.

The car jack works well to pull the mast base down onto the crossbeam.

You only need to loosen the DolphinStriker at one end...just mesure the amount of threads, so it can be retnsionedby the same amount....another trick is to tap the striker with a spanner and remember the note it makes....then retension to same note.

Good luck

standing on the angled rod will get the base down on the crossbar. Less chance of damaging the crossbar than with a jack.

Yeah, you can belt it down with a 30lb sledge hammer too. Commonsense prevails here, put some carpet/wood to act as buffer between boat and jack....I just presumed that anyone doing this job, would have some common sense. As for standing on the dolphin striker, well ....... at least the jack gives you control of the force applied.

I worked on these boats for years, many times fixing the attempted repairs made by well meaning owners. It is amazing how inexperience, excitement, and a few beers along with friendly advice make for bad outcomes. Sometimes "primative Pete" requires less tools and has less chance for further damage, at least to the boat.

Whatever you do, when you put it back together use some type of gease so you can get it apart again next time without ruining the threads.. I use Lanocote here at the shop. Use the stuff whenever you combine two different metal parts (ie stainless/ aluminum), or whenever you thread something onto something else. Stainless steel is prone to galling.

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Zingaro, I think the proper term for the item is a "doohicky". Gizmos are mechanical.