JRK_14 wrote:
Thanks, rattle 'n hum, for your kind comment.
There are some rocky outcrops in our lake, waiting to snag the unsuspecting boater, so I prefer a frangible pin rather than risking ripping out the transom. Our lake is not that large, so limping home with a disabled rudder system in the event of a broken pin, while it would be a p.i.t.a., trumps hull structural damage in my case.
I ordered the new Hobie 5051 fiberglass pins because I was worried about the age and integrity of the old nylon pins, and as I said in my last post, was disappointed that they measured only .370” dia., .005” undersize. So, when I filled and drilled the gudgeons, I used a Letter U (.368”) and sanded the pins to achieve a satisfactory fit.
I have never experienced water in the mast, but when I asked the dealer why my boat turtled every time, he said it was the nature of the beast – just not enough buoyancy in the mast to prevent it. Righting it used to be a struggle, so I was easily sold on the mast float solution. Just to be safe, though, I’ll apply a bead of silicon to joints and rivet heads. Thanks for the heads-up!
Stay safe!
John
A good alternative is to make your own out of Delron rod. Much better than the fiberglass or nylon pins and not unforgiving like the aluminum ones. Ran them on my 16 for 10 years of racing with some beach launces...never an issue and pretty cheap to make.