Hobie Cat Forums

I have a slight bend in the mast (sideways) and am wondering if I can bend it back without detriment to the mast itself. Also, if it does successfully unbend, is there a memory effect so that it bends differently on one side to the other? Thanks in advance.

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Paul Ridgway
2004 "SKAT" #2530

Where's the bend? If somewhere between the top and bottom of the diamond wires you can sometimes take the bend out by having one side of the diamonds tighter than the other. If the bend is above the diamonds it's more difficult but you can try wedging the mast between 2 solid objects to try bending it back straight.

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Greg Thomas
Hobie Factory Team

The bend is fairly evenly along the whole section of mast so I am thinking that I would need to undo the diamond wires to try the fix.

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Paul Ridgway
2004 "SKAT" #2530

Its probably an imbalance of diamond wire tension then. One side is tighter than the other.

Yes, if it the mast is curved over the entire length, try adjusting the diamond wire with its own turnbuckle tighter or looser, should take care of the bend.

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Greg Thomas
Hobie Factory Team

Thanks guys I'll give that a go. I was presuming that the tension in the wires was even but you know what they say about assuming....

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Paul Ridgway
2004 "SKAT" #2530

Ok so I released the diamond wires and the mast still has a slight sideways bend over the whole length so I will try giving it a bit of pressure while supported top and bottom to correct?

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Paul Ridgway
2004 "SKAT" #2530

I'd see if you can pull it out with the wires first. I've got the same exact problem with my FXone mast, though I haven't checked to see if it is still there with the wires relaxed. I've just been lazy, and keep forgeting.

It might have a memory of sorts too from being pulled more to one side, but thats just a guess.

Thanks Karl - I've given it some pressure and it seems to have come back pretty straight but the proof will be in the sailing once I load it up with diamond pressure etc.

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Paul Ridgway
2004 "SKAT" #2530

Your thread prompted me to try and get the bend out of my mast. I had to add a bit more rake to the spreaders anyway.

I released all of the diamond wire tension and my mast went straight, but after adjusting the spreader rake and bringing it back up to tension the bend was still there. I just used a string line from the mast head to the base,and used that centered on the luff track as a guide.


edit- In order to get the mast straight I've actually got less tension on the wires on one side. If I set it at 37 on one side, I get 36.5 on the other side. Weird!?

Yes that is strange given that it is straight with no diamond wire tension. Maybe an asymmetry in the angle of the spreader arms ?

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Paul Ridgway
2004 "SKAT" #2530

One of your wires might be a lil bit shorter

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1992 Hobie Cat 18 #16943
Hobie Fleet 198, Rapid City, SD

There is a turnbuckle for that, but like I said, straight mast, unbalanced load? I'm told not to worry about it, as its a pretty minute difference.