Thanks for clarifying this Chris.

I just re-looked at the Hobie site. There are two links to Hobie 18 parts diagrams, and they lead to different pictures and parts lists...

The one you linked to makes a little more sense than the other one that I found: http://www.hobiecat.com/support/tech/h18parts.html I still don't see two masts listed in this diagram.

I am really surprised that they made the upgrade require a new aluminum section (as opposed to a different comptip). I guess I had bad local knowledge. (Someone in our fleet was considering this upgrade years ago.)

Is the aluminum cheaper than the comptip? It sounds like a lot more work if you have to transfer all the fittings, spreaders, etc. to new aluminum mast AND deal with the comptip, as opposed to just changing the comptip.

Not that any of this answers the original question...

Mike