Hey folks,

I'm in the process of restoring an ancient Magic Tilt Hobie 14 18 trailer, and I'm having trouble finding a replacement forward mast rest for a mount installed by the previous owner (of whom I do not have contact with).

The mount definitely appears to have been manufactured, so if anyone knows where the mast rest piece alone could be possibly be purchased, I would be so so appreciative.

Photos of the top of the mount can be found below. Thanks in advance to all responders!









Edited by cfschris on Jun 05, 2016 - 03:31 PM.

It looks like some aluminum extrusion he just had lying around; it doesn't seem to be anything specific to trailers. I would just source a complete galvanized support that fastens to the tongue, rather than trying to find something that matches that particular section.

Two things. As it sits, that mast rest is very weak. It appears to be secured only by the base of the extrusion.
You should obtain 2 pieces of flat AL, appx 2' long. Run them on a diagonal, from the tongue, upwards onto the mast rest. You could rivet,(better), or screw them to tongue & upright. This will provide fore/aft support, & some sideloading support. Mount one strap on each side of upright.
For the actual mast cradle, just go to any store that supplies boating trailer accessories.
Obtain one of those "V" blocks that normally get used to stop the bow of a boat from contacting the winch post. Cut or grind it so as to fit inside your upright, & add a screw to retain it. That is what all of my trailers have used. It will outlast you, & the Cat.


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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
--

Edchris177

These are not optimal for trailering. They can work but are too small to fully hold a mast and require a good amount of line (never bungee) to truly secure a mast to the trailer. IF you use something like this, make sure you create someway to add lines to secure it very well

you are much better off finding or fabricating some type of "U" yoke or something that will actually capture the mast and prevent it from bouncing around / off

if a mast is not properly secured to the mast yoke, it can bounce off, swing out and literally lance/kill someone in another car in the oncoming lane (happened on our beach, yes someone was speared with an oncoming mast and killed) and something similar happened to me when I hit a low hanging branch and my bungee snapped when the mast broke free and hit a parked car

I second the motion on not using bungees. My H16 mast bounced coming to a stop at a light after hitting a pot hole and it snapped and the mast left a huge dent in my hatchback roof!! Thank god no one was hurt.

I think it goes without saying that the mast needs to be tied onto the V block. My Trailex (AL) mast stand has a fitting on each side to secure a line to.
You don't need much, I make 2 figure 8's with a bungee, not the small 5/16" stuff we use on Cats, but one of those heavy black truckers tarp straps.
I concur bungee is not enough, I add a round or two of decent line as a safety. The bungee allows a bit of give, & if the line were to break, then I'm probably upside down anyway.
If you use a block like the one on the left of photo, it is plenty adequate, for depth, as long as the mast is tied down securely. I mean really, look at how the mast is usually secured to the rear beam.
Even if I had a "U" channel 1' deep, I'd still tie it.

--
Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
--