TI Furling line spool

For the record.......should the bottom of the furling line spool rest on.......or almost touch the top of the mast roller bearing ring ? On my '14 TI if the furling line goes slack there is ample space for the line to slip between the bottom of the spool and the roller bearing ring which results in binding up the furling line.

bill

It is typically a tighter fit and doesn't allow the line to get in there. May be something stopping the mast from getting all the way down.

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

I don't know about the newer masts, but for sure on my previous two older TI masts any small incidental bump on the spool while handling the mast would easily slide the spool up or down on the carbon mast. I would just lightly tap it back in place with a block of wood (lightly tap.....). My current 2012 mast appears to be more solidly glued (on the old masts the epoxy had turned white (water impregnation), On the newer mast the epoxy is still clear after 3 yrs.
The carbon masts are very high tech, you have to be careful not to bump or scratch them, and especially never drill them or anything.
Another pointer is when putting the mast in never tilt it into the hole, if you do you will likely bend that bearing plate down (it is not very strong at all, ie... The bearing plate has the white balls in it).
After bending several plates I figured out the safe way to raise the mast is to place the base of the mast next to the mast holder (it easily traps in that little cubby area next to the mast holder). I then swing the mast vertical, then lift it straight up and drop it into the mast hole. Removal is the same way, you lift it straight up and out, place it next to the mast holder then tilt it down. Doing it any other way simply bends that bearing plate (99% of the time you don't even realize you just wrecked it until next time you go out). Stepping on that plate has the same effect (found that one out by hard knocks as well lol).
Hope this helps
FE

I had the same problem with my 2015 AI.
I made a plastic spacer and added a fairlead to keep better control of the furling line.
The spacer just seats loose. Never had any problems since.

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2021 Dune Hobie Lynx