Using a mast step link on my 1972 cat.

Hello Guys and Gals. First post. Been sailing for over 30 years, my first beach cat.
I just bought a mast step link kit, should I be using this with an old boat or just keep stepping the mast without it?
I don't want to mod the mast base and not have the step link not work. I read somewhere that older boats you have to replace the step. Im sailing all next week and don't want to screw this up. Thanks for your time.

Links are FAR safer.

The kit has instructions on modifying the original "hook" version. No other parts are needed. You drill the pin out of the step casting, cut off the hook and drill a hole on the mast base nub.

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

I'm with Matt!!! Links are not only safer, but easier if you step the mast solo, it wasn't always easy to engage the hook- link's a piece of cake!


Dave

Easy mod, much safer stepping the mast.

Appreciate this is an old post but having just purchased a 1970s Hobie Cat wonderring were I can get a mast stepping conversion kit. Thanks.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hobie-16-Mast-S ... ob&vxp=mtr

There you go

Well, since that one doesn't include the pins, it's not going to help him very much.

You can get one from a Hobie dealer (use the dealer finder at the top of the page) or from Murray's (http://www.murrays.com). Murray's sells a "heavy duty" version (http://www.murrays.com/01-3021.html) that resembles the very first step links used. The current versions (like the one in the eBay link) are meant to be permanently installed, whereas the Murray's one is meant to be removed after use.

To convert a '70s "hook" mast base, you cut/file off the hook (just the hook, leaving a nub like a new mast base), drill a 7/32" hole through the middle of the nub, drill out the rivet in the mast step and you're done.

you can use ordinary screws lol. Pins fall off easily anyways. It is not like you are going to sail with it and they can rust

You could use shackles to link base and step for easier raising and lowering of mast.

Here is a previous post I submitted on the topic:
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=58225#p276993

Cheers
SRG

_________________
Hobie 14 Turbo (~1979)
Hobie 16 Carumba (1983)
Hobie 16 1990 (storm damaged)
Hobie 16 1996 (my latest)

Why would one buy a twisted link off ebay when they can get a proper kit from Hobie? There are some parts worth taking a chance on but I wouldn't buy a used link.

_________________
JKK
83 yellow/ white decks Hobie 14 Corando turbo
82 yellow hulls Hobie 16 Cat Fever
84 yellow hulls hobie 16 Yellow Nationals
plus a few extras that I'm restoring

That's for a 16, would it also work on a 14? Not sure if everything is the same size.

Yes, has a hole spacing for H14.

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