I can't get over how much I hate the comptip on my Hobie 20. It is a high maintenance piece of crap, and I would not be at all surprised someday if Hobie Cat gets sued because the dumb leaky thing caused someone to drown.

Last weekend I was sailing in a race and tipped over. We could not get the boat righted to save our soul. No amount of leaning out with both of us on the righting line would make the boat come up. It was really stupid that we tipped in the first place, and once we were trying to right it, the wind wasn't strong enough to help much. My crew and I probably weigh around 380, so even with poor righting technique, it shouldn't have been a problem. Even once someone came to help, it was still difficult. The helper lifted the mast out of the water, and we still had all we could do to get her to come up.

So...back to sealing the comptip and all the various fittings that could be leaking again, as there is no way that the mast is dry with that much difficulty righting the boat.

Even when comptip masts don't leak, they are not as bouyant as a comparable aluminum or carbon fiber mast, which makes them more prone to turtling, or sinking.

I love my Hobie 20, and can't afford to replace it right now, but this will be the last boat I own with a comp tip.

Such a shame!

Just had to rant. It's nothing personal, Hobie Cat folks, I just find this to be a real drag.

Tim