I think from your post that your mast came off the pivot ball, and punched a hole in the cross-bar. This happens often when the mast is stepped if it is not turned perpendicular to the boat when stepped. If lifted straight up like on a 16 or 18, it bends the retainer pin and lets the mast pop off the ball.



Check your mast pin. Is it bent. The mast on a 17 cannot be raked back very far, or it will pop off the ball bending the pin. Was your mast rotated? Once again, the mast on a 17 has to rotate to keep it from coming off the pivot ball.



Hope this is some help!



David