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Reply to: Dolphin striker length H18 '81

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[quote=Dogboy]The dolphin striker on the H18 has two main components - the post and the rod.  The post is the vertical compression member which extends below the mast step and is threaded into the mast step.  The rod is the tension member (what you are referring to as the "cable").  The rod is secured to the bottom of the post with a piece of aluminum tubing and each end passes through the bottom side of the front crossbar and into the crossbar end caps where the ends are secured with nuts.

What you're describing (the need to re-rivet the mast step) is very common on the Hobie 18.  The action of the mast working on the mast step causes the rivets to loosen up over time.  The best way for you to fix the mast step is by loosening the striker rod nuts located at each end of the front crossbar castings.  This will relieve tension on the rod and allow the post/mast step to seat fully down to the top of the crossbar so new rivets can be installed.  Then tighten the nuts back up to re-tension the striker.

The problem is that it is very common for the stainless steel rod to become seized in the aluminum castings.  When this happens, the rod will not loosen even if the nuts are loosened.  When this happens, full removal of the front crossbar from the boat is typically required to free the striker rod from the crossbar castings.  This is the preferred method although it can be a bit involved.  You should re-assemble the rod with grease to prevent corrosion/seizing in the crossbar castings.

As an alternative, you could use a scissor jack between the striker rod and the bottom of the front crossbar to push the mast step down and then re-rivet the step.  You should definitely NOT cut the striker post.

In either case, when you have the mast step re-riveted, there should be no play/clunking if you try to wiggle the striker rod with your hand.  If it clunks, then it is too loose.  The rod should make a "twang" sound if you pluck it with your hand.

Also, since you mentioned your boat is a 1981, it is likely you have the original 2-rivet mast step.  This step was later updated to a 4-rivet configuration which is stronger and stays better affixed to the front crossbar.  You might want to consider replacing it (this would require an new striker post and mast step).

You can also bed the mast step in epoxy when re-riveting it to help hold it more securely to the crossbar.  http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=42441&hilit=mast+step

You can also do a search for mast step on the Hobie 18 forum of the Hobie website for a lot more info.

sm<em>Edited by Dogboy on Oct 31, 2015 - 09:54 AM.</em> [/quote]

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