I've had the same experience as Matt. My first hobie was welded on this part. It ended up breaking at the weld, and I ended up in a pile of boat... The mast ended up going through one of the hulls, and the sails ended up ripped. The boat ended up as spare parts, so the cost of a new crossbar is a bargain, especailly if it fails where you may not be able to get help.

Craig