Hi
Over the years i have had my hobie 16 my mast wouldn't rotate and i didn't realy mind since i wasn't entering in any major races just small fun ones. With the Australian Hobie Nationals coming up and me going away alot and lots of training solo and with new crew i thought i was about time i get it fixed but i dont know what it is. My mast will rotate going one way but not as well the other. I replaced the wires and still no idea on how to fix it. Well if any one could help it would be much apreciated. thanks.
Jules
With the sails down and a mast chip(teflon bearing) in place, the mast should rotate easily. Is the mast straight?
Previously the boat could have been sailed without a mast chip(teflon bearing) and worn down the ball on the mast base. If the mast won't rotate with a new mast chip, you might have to replace the mast base.
Most likely your mast is bowed slightly. Same thing happened on my 2000 Hobie 16. Mast developed just a 3-4" deflection after sailing in really heavy winds. Never flipped but when came back to beach crew noticed the bend. Tried few times to straighten mast by bouncing on it, but bow always came back. Mast wouldn't rotate to one side consistantly which was a real pain in races. Finally had to take an old straight mast, put a comtip on it. Since then no problems with rotating.
Good Luck,
Stew