Some TI (and newer AI) Maintenance

I checked the 4 screws deep in my TI's mast cup recently to find them all loose especially the two rear ones. They were mostly tight when I received them.

Something more to keep an eye on, as it'd be messy if the were to come loose in higher winds. Requires quite a long #2 screwdriver.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Thanks for the data, I'll check mine this weekend. I would have never thought of that.

Again Thanks for the heads up.

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“Remember life is short- eat dessert first.”
The world is 70% water – So that means we should spend 70% more time sailing than mowing lawns!
Larry

Thanks for the info. I will check mine.

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

I am surprised this fault has not been corrected by Hobie before shipping new boats. The problem is known and described by Hobie as early as 29 April 2009 in Adventure Island Tech Notes. "Maintenance note!!"
viewtopic.php?p=68667#p68667
I now have to find a long screwdriver at the ironmongers.

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Bo Karlberg
Taby
Sweden
Sail Tandem Island No P1787 in the Stockholm Archipelago (some 40,000 islands and rocks)

Yep, I've had this. Found a couple of screws fell out duing transit (inverted on roofracks). Another reason to stuff some pool noodle in there. I check my screws before each trip. And yes it does require a long screwdriver.

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Thanks, just checked and the screws in mine were very loose, especially the rear ones as in your case. One of them didn't seem to bottom out when I tightened it, it felt like the threads might be damaged. I wonder if that's going to be a problem?

Not sure if this should be a new thread? But what type of regular maintenance or checks do people do before or after they go out on the water?

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Paul, Rebecca & Stephanie

As of last weekend's sail, RUDDER PINS! Definitely.

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The Wind Is Your Friend...

Before rigging and sailing off, ensure only non sailor types are watching.

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Yellow 09 Oasis
Red 2010 AI /Grey tramps.

I had to tighten the Mast Cup screws on my AI a couple of times last year...until
I used LokTite on them. I checked the Cup screws on my new TI and two were
slightly loose at the time of delivery. A couple of months later and after reading the above thread...I checked again and three of the screws were loose about 1 1/2 turns. So I immediately reinstalled all four using Loktite to lock them down. I think that will solve the problem because the AI's screws have never loosened again.

Does anyone know whether the screws are fixed to cast in metal nuts or to treads in the plastic cup?
If plastic I am considering using split or toothed washers under the pan head as Loctite is not recommended for plastic components.

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Bo Karlberg
Taby
Sweden
Sail Tandem Island No P1787 in the Stockholm Archipelago (some 40,000 islands and rocks)

They thread into brass fittings embeded in the plastic.

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

My AI was made as part of an upgrade kit and when installed those screws I neglected to use loctite. A year later I eventually found the baseplate held in place with just one screw. Not good, but easily fixed.

The side effect of these screws coming loose is poor furling control. Rather than being nice and smooth as usual, it's very much the opposite. SO if furling starts to feel rough and ready, check the integrity of those screws.

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Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au

During a recent wash down, thought I check on a few maintenance items I learned from being on this post. And low and behold, three of the four screws were missing from the base of the mast receiver cup.


I did'nt realize it while out at sea, but the mast was rattling a bit more than usual. And the mast would bind more often when furling and unfurling my sail - exactly as Yakass described. Luckily I found the other three screws in my truck bed which probably fell out when I flipped my hull over onto the truck racks.



I was fortunate that the conditions were relatively calm 5mph variable winds; 3-4' seas. Not sure what would've happened if conditions became marginal. I went ahead screwed them back in using a tube to extend my screwdriver; but a 12' screw driver would work better. I'm now considering using Locktight and/or stainless steel locking washers before heading out again.

Aloha,

Cliffs2Yak

And speaking of loose screws, I had to tighten the screw that holds the "latch" that locks the mast into the cup. While sailing a couple of weeks ago (20 knot winds) a heard a "bang" from that general area - I think that might have been the mast unlocking, rising out of the cup and then seating again suddenly on a jibe...

I think it might be wise to inspect all screws every few outings, just to be sure...

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2010 Tandem Island!