This is the only hard part about setting up solo. With the exception of raising the mast, setting up a Hobie 16 (mine's a 1980, Sail #55569) by myself is a breeze. Well it is with the exception of the heat in the summer. Our lake (Lake Mead near Las Vegas) air temps get up to 120 degrees F sometimes....not real comfortable to work in.

Anyway, here's my problem: Boat is still on the trailer, mast and shrouds are attached and clear, mast base is locked into the mast step linkage, with the step ring and pin, and the mast rests across the rear crossbar. I raise the mast up and the mast base will not align with the cup. It goes too far forward and I either have to strong arm (very tiring) the mast base backwards to set into the cup, or (the easy way) get someone to push rearward on the front lower portion of the mast to get the ball in the cup. I am using the correct hole in the step linkage. There is a 14 and a 16 hole. The link somehow goes up too far and hits the mast cup when I raise the mast.

Anyone have this same problem? Is there a cure?

Thanks in advance. Sail safe.