Mast popped off ball while lowering

My wife and I were lowering the mast on our 2001 getaway when the mast came off the ball while she was at the back of the boat and I was on the tramp lowering it. It fell about 10 feet and would have killed her if it hit her. Anyone had this issue before. It was pinned and at a 90 degree angle. I ordered a mast stepper. I noticed a lot of flex in the mast as I was walking back holding it on the tramp. don't want this to happen again. I'm going to buy a micrometer to see if the ball is worn or if I need to replace the mast base. I also have significant cracking in the comp tip. VERY DISAPPOINTED in the comp tip. I'm thinking with swallowing my pride and buying a new mast. I don't want to deal with the comp tip anymore. Shouldn't have let my 16 go. Could have poached my all aluminum mast from it (now seeing how awesome it was). See ya on the water.

I have an all aluminum 16 mast on my Getaway. Shortened to match the original Getaway mast length. Works a treat!

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Bill P
'00 Wave
Webster NH

You must be pulling the mast up and aft when lowering. That is unusual for the ball to pop out. You should not even need a pin if done properly.

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

I appreciate the response. I just let a 16 go with an all aluminum mast. I'll be looking for one . We weren't pulling up and away, but the natural force of the weight when you are walking back from the mast ball while lowering bends the mast significantly. Scared the bejeez out of us. The Stepper should change the direction of force from the bob to the ground in back to from the bob to the gin pole. I think (hope) that the physics works out.