Richard,

You are saying that you see no way to attach the mast to the mast step after the mast has been raised, correct? If so, the Hobie 16, and most other beach cats, do not have a pin or bolt that holds the mast in place. It needs to be allowed to rotate freely on the mast step up to the rotation limiters on the H16.

So, gravity holds the mast on the mast step. The shrouds and forestay keep it from falling off the step when capsized. The slack in the shroud is less than the distance needed for the mast to pop off, when they are tightened correctly.

You are correct about a plastic disc needing to be between the mast and the mast step.

The details on how the mast step pins to the mast for stepping depend on the age of your boat. Do you know the year of manufacture? Look on the transoms of the hulls. You should see a hull number etched into the gelcoat. The year of manufacture are the last two numerical digits in this number.

I know this is a silly question, but is there a mast base? It should be a cast aluminum piece that rivits into the bottom of the mast. If it is just the extrusion on the bottom, you will need to by a mast base. Also, pics would be helpful if you can.

Good luck!