Sprocket, Mast Set Screw Tension

It has been brought to my attention that the Hobie factory has failed sprockets during assembly by over tensioning the mast set screws. Our engineers tell me that you can create 1,000s of pounds of load on the plastic part by over tightening. Over tightening can lead to failure of the plastic part. This can result in a stripped screw or damage to the surrounding plastic.

The engineers recommend that the set screw be lightly tensioned. This is a "keeper" in a slot in the mast and does not require any real tension to function correctly.

I have updated the ST Turbo instructions to note this issue.

If you do an occasional re-tensioning of the set screw, you can actually create a problem by ratcheting up the tension on the screw.

Insert the mast and lightly tension the set screw. Use pliers to rotate the mast back and forth to be sure the set screw is fully inserted. Do not tighten beyond just contact with the mast.

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

More...

It has also been brought to my attention that the set screw location has moved from the intended location in the plastic sprockets. This may also contribute to issues with the mast and sprocket. Masts should be fully seated into the sprocket and retained in that location by the set screw. If the recess in the mast is mislocated, due to the changed set screw location, causing the mast to be less than fully seated, additional grinding on the mast recess may be a good idea to get the fully seated mast as designed.

The set screw location and mast retention recess issue has been corrected in current production.

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

So, Matt, are you going to post photos and directions? I've now got two of the February 2006 production drives....

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calm seas and tight lines

I'll see if the engineers can work on something that would help.

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