Hello all-

My Hobie 17 comptip has an all plastic track. I'm considering replacing the top 12" with the aluminum stub track (like the new boats). The reason being, every time I sail in high wind with a lot of downhaul & mainsheet, the top 6" of bolt rope pulls out of the track which makes it a real PITA to get the sail down. I tried putting a hose clamp around the mast just below the hook in an effort to keep the track together, but it really hasn't helped.

Anyway, has anyone done this before? I know you can put the plastic tracks on by just snapping them in, but I'm assuming to install the aluminum track the head cap has to come off the mast. I guess this will involve drilling out the rivets that hold on the sail hook. Is there any more to it?

Any experience/advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

SM