Mast tip queston

At the top of my mast between my mast tip and the mast itself is completly open allowing water into the mast causing it to be much more difficult to flip back over after me and my hobie take a tumble. Should it be open at the top or sealed off? Oh and about dolphin strikers. If I don't have one should I absolutly not be trapezing or will my boat be ok for a short wile without it.

Thanks Eric

Eric,

What do you mean by completely open at the top of your mast? It should definitly be sealed. This will make righting much easier.

I would refrain trapping out without the dolphin striker. You are setting yourself up for having to replace the front crossbar.

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

Certainly should be sealed. You can inject it with 2 part floatation foam to create a short plug of foam. Find A and B foam at a marine hardware store.

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

I have the mast head and such but between the tip of the mast where the wire runs over and the frame of the mast there is an opening. We have a hobie floatation device in it so the boat wont turtle but it seems like that should be sealed off? Thanks Eric

As a general rule, if there is a hole in your mast you should seal it. Keeping water out of your mast makes life easier.

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

Which type mast?

All aluminum or CompTip (fiberglass with plastic luff track).

The original aluminum mast had a single (large) sheave. Below the sheave the casting was open. There was always a plug below that. A plastic one that looked like a lip around the casting. That created a cup inside the mast. Others had a foam plug.

The CompTip masts have dual sheaves and a stamped aluminum head. The would have a foam plug inside the CompTip.

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

its the original aluminum. Its from 1976.

Yah. Are you sure you're getting water in the mast? (When you take down the boat does the mast way a friggin' ton and you hear sloshing?) If you are then drill the rivets in the mast head and pull out the old plug. Get a foam pool noodle, cut to shape and stuff down as a replacement. Then squirt about an inch of silicone over it. After it cures, re-rivet the mast head. You should be good then.

_________________
Warm regards,

Jim

Definitely install a dolphin striker before you trap. I have trapped on a 14 without one and the front beam actually almost flattens out!

You can spend a few days trying to install the factory one (a Hobie 17 one works, too!) or you can get the add-on one that uses 4 rivets. You can have it on in 15 minutes!

Drop me a line at [email protected] for more info. I think I have some used add-on dolphin strikers.

Dan

Jamie- the foam pool noodle thing is brilliant.
Dan- Andy needs a dolphin striker for his 14, I'll forward you his email.