I'm wondering if it is possible to step and de-step a mast on a Hobie 16 in the water? I could pull it up to a dock but the water is a little too deep with a rock shore to pull it up on shore.



Any tips would be appreciated? I'm wondering how I would clip the quick release on the forstay while on the water.



Thanks, Doug



P.S. I posted this on the old forum also, but I thought I might get more responses from this forum.

I think you'd get a bit wet.



You could try to detach it from the sidestay, but that seems damn risky.

Do you have power lines or other obstructions to preclude you from stepping your mast on your trailer before you launch? I always step my mast with the boat on the trailer.



I think that with your boat floating that it would be rather unstable when you tried to lift your mast; sounds like a good way to hurt yourself or someone else. I am sure you could step your mast with your boat on the beach, but I think that it would be more difficult trudging around in the water getting everything ready to go.

ok, here's what you do. hook up your stepper link. i'm assuming your forestay is set up with a 10 hole chainplate connected to the forestay with a clevis or quickpin, a shackle in the bottom adjuster hole of the chainplate for jib tack attachment and a shackle on the bridle wires that attaches to the very bottom hole of the chainplate.



now, tie a 1/4-5/8" line to the jib tack shackle using a bowline and run it through the shackle on the bridle wires. carry this line with you as you kneel on the back of the tramp and lift the mast to shoulder height (make sure your shrouds are clear first). walk the mast up and hold it while pulling on the line you've rigged to the forestay. tie that line off to the front XBar TIGHTLY. now you can either go for a swim to attach the bridal shackle to the forestay or trap out there if you feel comfortable enough and your legs are long enough. it came to my mind that this may be safer if you had a second bridal shackle so you wouldn't have to disconnect the only thing holding your mast up. this is just a suggestion. i'm sure everyone here would suggest stepping on the beach or tralier when possible.