Hi all,
<br> I have an older TheMightyHobie18 and am hearing a creaking niose from the mast base and can see some flex between the front crossbar and the mast base. Looks like the rivets are a bit loose. This only happens when a heavy hiking load is placed on the rig. Should I have the base re-riveted or should I forget about this?
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<br>Thanks, Nelson D<br><br>

Your mast base will only fail with a heavy hiking load. Having been on several cats that have been demasted I can say that things happen very fast and people can and do get hurt. One ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It is very easy to loose your whole mast and sails to the deep. Your mast could last 14 years or 14 minutes it just depends on what you want to gamble.<br><br>

Thanks for the reply.
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<br>I kind of figured this was the appropriate action. I guess I'll wait a few more days to get this boat on the water while I get this fixed.
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If you have an older Hobie-18, the mast base/step will be held to the crossbar with only two rivets. Eventually these work loose, both from the stress the from the mast and tension from the dolpin striker. Your best bet is to upgrade to the newer version of the mast step, which attaches with four rivets. You will also need to replace the dolphin striker post as part of the upgrade. I did this upgrade awhile ago and have not any problems with it since.<br><br>Keith Chapman, Annapolis, Md.
<br>H-18
<br>Northstar 500 (monoslug)
<br>WRCRA - www.wrcra.org

It is an older 18 with two rivets. I have access to a early 90's 18 that is being parted out. I'll look into grabbing these parts and moving them over. Thanks for the input.<br><br>