So I'm curious if this is just from the diamond wires being tentioned improperly and can be adjusted or is something else wrong?

http://www.thebeachcats.c…ictures?g2_itemId=112922

I would make sure the diamond wires are properly adjusted. Unfortunately, that mast may have a permanent bend in it.

That doesn't look promising.

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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Edited by fxloop on Feb 07, 2015 - 06:28 AM.

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Tim Grover
1996 Hobie Miracle 20
Two Hobie 14's
1983 G-Cat Restored
Memphis TN / North Mississippi
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So my next question is this a safety issue or just performance? I assume the boat will still sail

Unbolt the diamond wires first. I picked up a Hobie 18 mast that looked like that until I took off the diamond wires. THen lubed them, then loosed them A LOT, then tensioned them properly.

Tom

Hmm. My F18 mast looks that way between the diamond wires, but there are no hard kinks in the mast and it continues following a continuous curve after the diamonds as well in the same orientation as the curve between the diamond wires. It was fine before, this new look occurred after I landed on the diamond wires the other day. Loos gauge says one wire has ~50lbs more tension in it than the other. I am remaining optimistic that I either bent a spreader or the wires themselves are no longer under equal tension, and that is causing the curve. Any advice is appreciated.

Some more information over here: http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=14275&view=previous

moncasta

Unbolt the diamond wires first. I picked up a Hobie 18 mast that looked like that until I took off the diamond wires.

Loosen them until you can touch the mast with both of them using one hand about 12 inches up from the black band.
Now look at the bend. Is it better? Most masts have a bit of curve in them from trailering. Yours looks like a little more than this, but it may reduce after you slacken the diamond wires. Its hard to tell from this photo, but is there a twist in it as well, or just a bend along the minor axis?

lostnmymind

So my next question is this a safety issue or just performance? I assume the boat will still sail

Nobody wants to say "sure its safe" then have you get hurt, especially judging from a picture. I sailed a season on a friends P 16 with a bent mast, but not in heavy air and we measured it to make sure it was not getting worse.
When a mast folds, the top can go anywhere. Get an opinion from someone who knows sailboats and will view the mast in person. If you need to replace it, there are guys here at thebeachcats who have good used hardware and will ship.

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