The mast base (on the xbar) on my h14 has holes for a pin, but the mast has nothing that I can figure out for holding it in place (capturing it) for raising the mast.

I did a search on mast stepping and saw nothing appropriate.

Alan,

It should be the same as the H-16. There is a U shaped piece of stainless which fastens to the tang on the crossbar mast support with a pin. There are two sets of holes on that S/S piece, one marked 14 and one marked 16 for the respective boat. That should pin to a tang on the mast base to make a hinge joint. After raising the mast and fastening the forestay, you pull the upper pin but the lower is usually captive with a split ring and the hinge piece stays on the boat. Repin to the mast to lower it.

Howard

So are you saying that there is a hole on the base of the mast that accepts a pin?

Any idea where to find the part on the Hobie site?

http://www.hobiecat.com/sailing/accessories.html
Download the catalog and go to the boats parts section in the back.

Or just get the parts diagram.
http://www.hobiecat.com/sailing/part_diagrams.html

OK

had to blow up the diagrams to see it, but I see the mast step link kit P/N 213800 .

Seems as if there is a hole drilled in the mast rotation limiter in the base in their diagrams.

It's 90 degrees from the left and right rotation stop.

Alan,

I am not sure if you are referring to the bottom of the mast or the base on the crossbar here.

(Seems as if there is a hole drilled in the mast rotation limiter in the base in their diagrams.) .

There are a couple of tangs on the base on the crossbar with holes drilled in them. They face toward the stern. Fasten the hinge link there with a pin and split rings. The other pin will have a hole for a split ring that you tie a light line to, so you don't lose it. Pin the mast to the link with that pin, raise the mast and fasten the forestay. Then pull out the pin so the mast can rotate. I usually stick the loose pin under a loop in the tramp lacing so it isn't just hanging on the string.

Howard

We keep the step pin loose and unattached, stowing it in the tackle box. That way were sure it's there when we return from sailing and not snagged by the crew and dropped in the lake. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Of course you can always use a phillips screw driver in a pinch.

Another reason for keeping it loose is we've forgotten to pull it out and mangled the hinge before we figured out why the mast was NOT rotating <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Its also a good idea to pull the link off of the boat on a 14 or 16 because the mast base can hit the link when its raked way back. I haven't had it hit on my 14, but I've mangle a couple on my 16 before I learned.

I like to leave my link on and keep the pin tied nearby. If you de-mast while sailing, due to a shroud coming loose, you can re-mast without returning to your launch point. (I don't rake my mast much, so this works for me.) But I have occationally bent my link, during capsizing.