Hobie Cat Forums

I have two 07 AIs and I noticed while sailing a few weeks ago that I was having a little trouble furling and unfurling the sail. I did not think to much about it.

Yesterday I was setting up my AIs to go for a sail and noticed that something was in the seat for the mast. Upon closer inspection I figured out it was one of the roller bearings from the mast collar. I was even more surprised when I realized that I only had 5 left in the collar, well six if you count the one in the mast well. I went over to my other AI and same problem only 5 left! Has anybody else had this issue? How many should there be?

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NorskBoy

G'Day NorskBoy,
Search the forums -they are a valuable resource and previous posts should be required reading for anyone serious about their kayaking.
I have found that any problems I have had have been experienced by others, discussed and solutions posted.
Your problem is discussed here:
http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=8149
The forums are another reason why I regard Hobie so highly.

Norskboy.

Yup, read my findings and fix in the thread link stringy provided.

Fortunately Hobie sells the plastic Delrin balls seperately.
Part #90610111 - I think they were only 35 cents each.
(Buy extras)

Assuming of course you have also not somehow damaged the bearing which could prevent balls from staying in place.

Otherwise, sand down the high spots, & replace balls and tighten down the bearing "sandwich".

The balls should completely fill the bearing circumferance, in other words, once you have all the balls on the bearing race they should touch each other and have little to no gaps.

Yakaholic

I guess I should have done a search before posting.

Thanks a lot for the help. Does Hobie make you pay for the replacement Bearings? seems pretty clear that this is a design or manufacturing issue and should be covered... I don't want to be petty but really! This should really be listed in Matt's tech notes I reviewed all of them and If I had seen this it could have saved me some down time as I could have been proactive rather than reactive.

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NorskBoy

You can file a claim for the bearings. No problem.

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Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

Matt,

I sent an Email to Dan over at HobieCats Northwest they have always been great and I am sure they will take care of me.

Thanks for the reply,

NorskBoy

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NorskBoy

Well there ordered... Waiting Waiting waiting

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NorskBoy

Hobie sent me new bearings no charge

I completed the repair on one Hobie.

I then decided that was to much work to take the whole assembly apart and just tightened the screws on the second Hobie. Near as I can tell I got the same results. Reason for my post is everybody with an AI should check the screws around the mast collar. They were not very tight from the factory or had loosened up and I lost 25 out of 30 bearings on both Kayaks. I think just tightening them down should do the trick. Its not expensive or difficult but if you loose your marbles it will take you off the water for a week or two waiting for the parts.

Thanks for the help, its great to be back on the water,

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NorskBoy