Hobie Cat Forums

Here's a new guy question: Once I raise the mast, should I remove the mast-step pin before sailing? The assembly manual doesn't address that. I've been sailing with the pin installed. It doesn't seem to hurt anything other than the jib sheet hangs up on it. On the other hand, leaving the pin installed should help prevent dismasting in a capsize. So, Old Salts, what's the verdict?

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Mark Van Doren
Division 9 Chairman
H20 #647
H14 #47787
H16 #112205

Your rig should be tight enough that the mast shouldn't leave the ball even turtled.

I don't use the pin at all on the FXone, which has a similar setup, I just tie off a safety line to the dolphin striker post when stepping the mast. I'm not smart enough to check which side of the mast the pin is on when I take the mast down. The line doesn't care!

I ruined a ball by leaving the pin in (large dent) and them balls ain't cheap!!! About 80% of time we flipped old "Flipper" she went turtle. Karl's right, the rig needs to be tight, but still allow rotation. No fears of the mast slipping off.

Just like all the other Hobies...take it out before sailing.

Mr. Kenny McIntosh leaves the pin tied to the zipper on their tramp/goodie bag, great way to prevent misplacing it.

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Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

Thanks a lot fellas. I was surprised to see the cost of ball is around $20.

_________________
Mark Van Doren
Division 9 Chairman
H20 #647
H14 #47787
H16 #112205

I don't use the pin at all. You HAVE to keep forward tension on the mast while raising or lowering, and with forward tension, you don't need the pin. [forward tension via a winch to the foresay or a long line with someone pulling from out in front] If it DOES get away from you, all the pin does is either deform the ball or break the mast casting (trust me, I know); the bottom of the mast WILL come off the ball.