Bolts attaching the forward spreader

Matt, how was your trip to the Bitter End over Thanksgiving?

Get any diving in with the sailing?

And lastly, do we really need those screws that go on the ends of the front spreader bar?

How far does that spreader bar go into the hull?

GREAT trip. No diving, but lots of snorkeling. The sailing was fantastic!









The bow spreader IS the connection to the forestay, keeping the mast up, so this is critical to the rig. The spreader is inserted a fair amount into each bow (1-1/2 Inch?). These screws on the outboard of the hull which screw into the spreader are security, keeping the bow spreader in place if something unusual happens. I would be sure they are secure. If they simply spin, the threads are stripped. A new block can be installed in the spreader or the screw can be replaced by a slightly larger one (requires tapping new threads in the block.

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

Great pictures - that is one fun place. So glad you got to go, Hobie made a wise choice on who to send, again.

Thanks for the info on the spreader bar. I'll see about putting a larger screw in there first. If that doesn't work, does Hobie sell the new blocks for the bar?

Thanks again -

Another option to fix stripped threads, what about installing a heli-coil insert?

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Jim

2007 Hobie Wave

Heli-coils would work.

The blocks would be replacable. I only have a factory part number listed (have not sold any as yet), but could aquire for you if you want. 37501030 END CAP GTWY BOW SPRDR appears to be the part. I would guess at about $12.95 as the price for each. Order through your dealer. Would also require 4 flat head rivets to install.

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

Looking at the picture, I think the logical thing to do with the least amount of work is just getting a tap one size bigger than the original bolt size (looks like 1/4-20) and then just get new s.s. screws to match. 5/16 is the next tap size up from 1/4

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

Matt - after looking at the picture you posted of the plastic block in the front spreader bar, I have a question. Is it safe to assume that if you can't see the rivets holding the plastic block, that the spreader bar is still inserted fairly well into the hull?

The screws are not holding on my boat and the front bar moves in and out of the hull at least an inch, sometimes more. I watch it fairly closely. I have never seen the rivets, and the front tramp is tight.

I thought I saw a post where you said the screws were an afterthought. So how concerned do I need to be?

Thanks -

If it was my boat I would definitely fix the problem, I trust Hobie all the way but I sure wouldn't like that front hull moving around like that. I don't think its a hard fix anyway.

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.