Original Comptip Problem

I have a Hobie 16 with the original comptip.

We only step the mast once for the season - the boat lives on the beach. (Wish I could, too!) Before we stepped the mast, I noticed a loose screw on the side of the mast. I tightened it.

All was well - for a while...

Now I have extreme difficulty hoisting the main through the comptip. It looks bent to one side.

My guess is that the comptip's track is no longer aligned with the main mast's track.

Is this a matter of fixing the screw-in hardware. (Is there a diagram for this?) Or should I just epoxy it in?

Any tips for making sure this is aligned properly?

Thanks!

From what you have described, I believe a screw has fallen out of one side of the mast. Subsequently the epoxy bond between the tip and mast has failed.

There is a threaded insert that goes thru the tip, securing it to the mast on both sides with a flathead, countersunk screw.

Take the tip off, clean it as well as the inside of the mast up, epoxy in place and buy a new screw. You'll need to make a jig to keep the tip and mast aligned with each other while the epoxy cures.

_________________
hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

Thanks John for your reply.

I am looking for an additional screw. Do you know what size screw it is?

My memory says pretty large threads, like 1/4-20.

Once you have it apart, take the other screw or the threaded insert to the hardware store to check thread size. The screw doesn't need to be too long (3/4 to 1" is plenty of mating thread). Buy some lock-tite and apply to the threads to prevent it backing out again.

With the mast up...do you tighten the forestay, tension your shrouds with line or bungee, do anything to lock the rotation? The rig movement while stored probably contributed to or caused the screw loosening.

_________________
hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

That's what I was hoping to avoid. The hardware store is about 45min away from the boat, but only 5 min from home/work.



Nope. As I store it, the mast can rotate. I should be able to use the mast step pin to lock the mast in place. The real problem will be remembering to remove the pin when I rig.

Thanks!

Hopefully Matt Miller, or someone else, can remember the size of the original comp tip hardware. I've sold our boat with that tip.

You'll have to make a trip for the epoxy?

_________________
hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

I say glue it in and forget the old hardware. Maybe add a few rivets if you are concerned about it working loose when trailering long distances.

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

No, I would need to get the special screw, assuming that the hardware store would have the right one.



I like it! That makes perfect sense. I just want the thing to stay on while sailing. The boat does not get trailered more than a few miles per year.

Which would be better: 5200 or epoxy?

Not 5200!

You want a very hard shim-like bond to hold it square. 5200 is too soft. Marine Tex is too soft. I use automotive bondo. Works perfectly. I have installed...dozens to hundreds this way. It is pasty and easy to work with, does not run all over the place. Easy to mix. Coat the inside of the extrusion with a thin layer and the outside of the CompTip. Squeeze together by placing the mast base against a solid wall, tree or post. You can hold the CompTip, insert as far as you can push... pull the Comptip and mast back and then slide the whole thing to impact the base on the "wall". That inertia forces the ComnpTip in further... repeat til fully inserted. You will want to use masking tape around both parts and tape blocking the luff tracks.

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

Matt,

Thanks for your advice. Looks like I will make the fix on Saturday
with a few helpers.

I have some Bondo-Fiberglass. Will that work as well as the plain
Bondo?

To block the luff track with tape...any trick to getting the tape in the
track? Seems like it will not stay in place as you push the comptip
onto the aluminum mast.

Rob

I used my little finger and a flat blade screwdriver to "seat" the tape. Swab clean the luff track of both pieces before you glue together.

_________________
hobiejohn at earthlink dot net
Fleet 297

I have one of those fancy two headed screws if you need it.

Email me.

cheers
Bill

h16bill,

I may/may not be able to use that screw. I plan to do the repair on
Saturday.

I'd love to email you, but I don't have your address.

John,

Excellent idea to use a swab. Perhaps a little solvent might make that
work even better, like MEK or acetone.

Anyone,

Any comments on my bondo question? Is bondo-glass too thick for
gluing the comptip on?

Thanks guys!
Rob

We worked on the boat over the weekend. Took down the mast
and looked at it. The track alignment looked good!

The luff track in the comptip has a narrower spacing than the rest
of the mast. Is this normal?

If this is normal, then the problem is probably with the sail. I want
to try someone else's sail to see if that is the case.

I may bondo the comptip over the winter. It does have some give/wobble.
Presumably that has a negative impact on performance.

Did the mast sit on the comptip track in storage? The material that the track is made out of does cold flow to a certain extent and it can move a round on you. Sometimes where you tie the mast down (even with a bugee) on the comp tip can get a pinched spot in the track. Since the material does cold flow you can wedge some cardboard into the track to open it up over the winter.

I have also seen a replacement comptip (newer style) where the track was very tight. It got replaced.