Hobie Cat Forums

I had read about it, but now I have experienced it! A few weeks ago (after towing my TI on its trailer for some 250kms) I launched at a huge freshwater inland reservoir, and had trouble furling the sail. Closer inspection back at shore showed there were only 17 delrin balls instead of the normal 24. By the time I drove another 40kms back to where my GF and I were staying, there were only 9 left! 14 of the missing 15 were at the bottom of the mast holder, but there seemed no obvious reason for them to come out of the groove (all the bolts were tight). I am assuming it was just a case of wear, given that I have sailed at least 70 times since I launched my TI in June last year.

I fitted a new set today, as well as a shaved down "uber-noodle" (the bigger diameter ones with a hole in the middle) which is a nice push fit into the mast carrier for when the mast is not in place.

I would need to use a micrometer to see if the old balls had worn to a smaller diameter, as they look the same size as new ones to the naked eye.

Hi Tony,

Yes it does happen! I had this occur with my TI as well. I measured each ball & found that there was only 0.02mm difference between each ball.

After cleaning the cages & balls and then ensuring that the bolts were torqued correctly (ie. over tightening the bolts can distort the cage) I went sailing again. My balls still fell out! I eventually carefully sanded the bottom of each cage so that I reduced the overall gap (of the cage area which houses the balls) by 0.5mm.

This has fixed the problem. The balls are still free to run, but they now remain safely contained in their underpants!!

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Rob,


2011 Hobie TI

Thanks, that will be plan B.

Had me concerned when I read the title Tony.

Mine are all still in place but I might try the pool noodle idea as a plug when the mast is not in place.

I have started to do a few long driving trips and a bit of off road, including bumpy beach tracks to get to launch locations. So it might be good policy to keep them firmly held in place during travel.

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Geordie
West Ausie

If the mast isn't in then pool noodle should be!
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viewtopic.php?f=71&t=33359

I'm not sure what's worse. The fact that your balls fell out, or the fact that we've pulled out a micrometer to measure them!

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OOF! That was sharp. Remind me to keep on Aug's good side!

Some-one told me those balls are expensive, I have never seen a price for a set. I too had trouble furling the mast but when I lifted it out saw the balls in the bottom of the mast seat. Getting them out was most difficult until some-one loaned me one of those mechanics claw pick-up things . Press down on the button and the claws open up, release it and they close around the object being picked up. On the way home I bought one...a couple of dollars in Bunnings wharehouse, and keep it in the car if needed,
Cheers Vintagereplica

If it works okay, modify it anyway!

They cost me 50 cents each from my dealer.

I had thought of one of those "olive grabbers", but a friend found the simplest solution, a long handled shoe horn. It was easy to trap a ball against the wall and slide it up to where it could be reached with fingers. Easy peasy