Hobie Cat Forums

JJ,

thanks for the advice. I am 2 1/2 hours form my nearest Hobie dealer, and frankly, they are idiots. They have wasted so much of my time I won't even use them. However, I am getting pretty comfortable stepping and lowering the mast with my winch with one set of helping hands, which can even be my 100lb. wife.

This is due to the practice I"ve been getting thanks to luff track problems I"ve been reporting on on another thread.

I did use the step-ladder method and it helped a lot with the stepping.

Dan

Sorry to hear about dealer probs.


Yep, the helping hands plus winch works. A combination of mechanics and helping hands eases the process.

However, my wifely "helping hands" get distracted too easily. For example, a cell phone going off. So it goes -- Hey, I have a call, can you pause mast stepping for just a minute? DO NOT YELL AT ME, DEAR! ...

Glad to hear you have some resolution, though.

That is really good video to see, Adam!

_________________
Wave
FX-1
Do you want me to tell you for the 1,000,001 time! The Wave...

The question about mast rotation, in all of the confusion, was never answered. I suspect that a good bungee from the mast rotator to the striker bar would do the trick, or maybe a short piece of rope.

I'll buy raising the mast with the halyard on a 17, using the trap wires to maintain stability, but on the FX, I think that with the extra weight of the mast, the halyard would be questionable at best. I use my trap lines to winch the mast up, but I stand on the tramp to guide it while someone else cranks the winch (which is at the top of the front mast support). I'm actually thinking about attaching the second set of trap lines to attach to the corners (or jib traveler or whatever) so I don't have to lift the mast the first few feet and stabilize it.

I made a tripod out of 2x2 lumber, but it's pretty unstable. It does, however, support the FX mast. I really need to find a good commercial metal tripod to use, and then install a rubber roller with side guides so I can slide the mast back when I put the mast base on the ball and pin it. I'd be interested to know where one might be found. I really dislike stepping the mast on the FX, not only because it's heavy and awkward with the spreader wires, but because the tramp is so loose. And at 62 I've had enough mast-stepping for one life.

See link below:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/407160-REG/On_Stage_LS7805B_Power_Crank_Up_Lighting_Stand_.html

_________________
Adam
e-mail: ab at medjet.net
H17S, Hobie Bravo, A cat
Fleet 444