De-masted!

Not from gear failure, but because I dropped it while trying to pin the forestay to the bridle. It did not appear to hurt the hull that the mast fell on or the mast itself. The only damage I can find is a very slightly bent mast step pin and a notch in the mast step ball. I can still get the pin in and out with some wiggling. The notch in the ball still allows for mast rotation, however its a little harder to rotate than it used to be.

I took it out sailing anyway and everything seemed to work fine.

Is there any reason (perhaps safety?) I should replace the mast step pin or ball? I am going under the assumption that everything is OK.

BUMMER, dude!

I guess you don't do the "clip the haylard and tie her tight" trick to hold the mast up while clipping or unclipping?

_________________

"HOBIE....
Say it LOUD and there's music playing...
Say it SOFT and it's almost like praying.....
I just sailed my WAVE out the Marina !"
West Coast Story

Yes, I do that. What I was actually doing (and did not fully explain earlier) was attempting to clip the halyard to the trailer winch and the halyard slipped.

I'd say if everything still works fine then you should be OK. Maybe some pics would help.