NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Zone => Kayaks => Hobie Kayaks => Topic started by: HamachiJohn on November 01, 2017, 07:52:55 PM

Title: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: HamachiJohn on November 01, 2017, 07:52:55 PM
Background story: Went diving at Albion, conditions were not good, Revo 13 rolled over despite bracing best I could, and yat got pushed into some rocks in the shallowsafter rolling over.  Then realized that my tubo fins (v2) on my MD180 drive were both bent.  See photo.

I put a 5/16 bolt to protect the thread, and used the hammer to try to straighten out the bent rod.  Could not get it to straighten out using a standard hammer. 

Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: KPD on November 01, 2017, 07:57:30 PM
Clamp it in a bench vise and manipulate the free end with a large wrench, re-positioning it in the vise as you straighten each section?
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: SlackedTide on November 01, 2017, 08:28:51 PM
If you can make the shaft stationary on some sort of fixture. Use a propane torch or heat gun. To heat it up. Then a BFP” big fuggin pipe”, slip it over and bend it the other direction. Tap with a hammer to refine it
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: brdopry on November 01, 2017, 08:29:26 PM
I have be t some before, fount it best to just pick ip new ones and thread em in.
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: Tote on November 01, 2017, 09:27:41 PM
Put it in a vice so it is snug but not tightened down then hit it with some Mapp gas.
Get it red hot then tighten down the vice.
Let it cool, pull it out then stand it straight up with the nut in the vice and hit it with the Mapp gas again. Do the fine tune straightening there.
Mapp burns hotter than propane. You'll have it straightened in no time.
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: yakyakyak on November 01, 2017, 10:11:03 PM

Use a grip/wrench/whatever, put the rod with arch facing upward (making a letter "D" instead of "K"), hold on tight, then beat the shit out of it with a hammer.  'bent mine twice this season, got it back to somewhat straight that way (straight enough, but not 100%).    Please do note that my rods are the V2 version and not the MD180.  I beat it pretty hard, the beating chipped my concrete floor but only left slight scratch on the rod.   By the way, my bent were roughly the same shape/location with yours.

Alternatively, you can buy new parts (which you can do anyway if the beating does not work).  Lastly, just like anything else, you should use your own discretion :)
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: FishingAddict on November 01, 2017, 10:14:10 PM
Buy a new one.
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: Fish67 on November 03, 2017, 11:11:38 AM
I was able to fix one of my mast by using a sledge hammer. Protect the threads and go to town. A standard hammer will not bend it back. I did buy a new one as a spare.
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: agoodhi on November 03, 2017, 01:48:54 PM
I was able to fix one of my mast by using a sledge hammer. Protect the threads and go to town. A standard hammer will not bend it back. I did buy a new one as a spare.
i would install the new one, and keep the repaired one as a spare (esp if you had to fix it multiple times already).
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: HamachiJohn on November 03, 2017, 01:55:46 PM
Thx for all the tips. Will buy a new one, fix the bent ones to keep as a spare.

I wonder if my regular fin mast will work... They're only  couple inches shorter than my turbo fin masts... Just a thought.

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Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: NowhereMan on November 03, 2017, 04:09:32 PM
Thx for all the tips. Will buy a new one, fix the bent ones to keep as a spare.

I wonder if my regular fin mast will work... They're only  couple inches shorter than my turbo fin masts... Just a thought.

Maybe cut a couple inch piece off of the bent one, tap both that and the end of the regular fin mast, and join them together with a threaded rod.... Or maybe not....
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: HamachiJohn on November 03, 2017, 04:19:32 PM
Thx for all the tips. Will buy a new one, fix the bent ones to keep as a spare.

I wonder if my regular fin mast will work... They're only  couple inches shorter than my turbo fin masts... Just a thought.

Maybe cut a couple inch piece off of the bent one, tap both that and the end of the regular fin mast, and join them together with a threaded rod.... Or maybe not....
I don't have the skill set! Lol

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Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: yakyakyak on November 03, 2017, 04:56:38 PM

Those rods are pretty tough.  I used regular steel head hammer just like this one.  4-5 strokes did the job for me.  Quick and easy.  Held it with a plier like the below.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-16-oz-Fiberglass-Claw-Hammer-N-G16CHD-HN/205386272?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|google|&mid=sakDRc4Qo|dc_mtid_8903tb925190_pcrid_195274179091_pkw__pmt__product_205386272_slid_&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInpW5kc2j1wIVklx-Ch29sQb9EAQYBSABEgIm7_D_BwE


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-16-in-Groove-Joint-Pliers-48066/203300076

Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: Mojo Jojo on November 03, 2017, 07:48:22 PM
All the above !!! Then go buy a thick walled aluminum pipe that fits over the shaft with a little wiggle room and add that and something to hold it tight with in your day pack. I fixed one on an older drive with a pair of pliers and the shaft of a metal paddle pulled apart, saved the guys day on the water. Or buy and carry a spare set.
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: NowhereMan on November 03, 2017, 08:40:33 PM
... Or buy and carry a spare set.

That would take all of the fun out it.
Title: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: Fish67 on November 04, 2017, 12:14:08 AM
I was able to fix one of my mast by using a sledge hammer. Protect the threads and go to town. A standard hammer will not bend it back. I did buy a new one as a spare.
i would install the new one, and keep the repaired one as a spare (esp if you had to fix it multiple times already).

I only bent it once, but I have thought about it. Have taken the yak out several times since then.

I also have thought about buying a steel rod and threading the top, then cut it to size. Steel rod isn't that expensive. Not sure if anyone here has tried it?
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: Tinker on November 04, 2017, 03:43:15 AM
Buy new ones.  Those masts are tempered (according to a Hobie forum post) and if you heat them glowing red, you'll change their temper.  If you have a metal works or auto body shop nearby, they might be able to straighten them for you to use as back-ups, but new shafts might be cheaper. 
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: krusty on November 04, 2017, 05:19:14 AM
Hobie masts are crap. They are very susceptible to metal fatigue and will break without any warning. If you attempt to straighten a bent mast, you will weakened it in the process, further shortening its life. Better to just buy new masts.
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: A.Julian on November 04, 2017, 09:49:07 AM
Hobie masts are crap. They are very susceptible to metal fatigue and will break without any warning. If you attempt to straighten a bent mast, you will weakened it in the process, further shortening its life. Better to just buy new masts.
That’s what I did! I would buy a new mast! When you break your mast later on you are going to replace the mast and sprocket. Save some money
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: HamachiJohn on November 04, 2017, 10:20:14 AM
I ordered new masts, thx for all the replies. Until I go pick them up, I tried putting my regular fin masts in, and it fits fine, with maybe 2 inches short at the end. Will try these until I pick up my order. Whether the 2 inches of rubber fins at the end without metal rod support will function well, i will have to test.

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Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: NowhereMan on November 04, 2017, 10:42:52 AM
I also have thought about buying a steel rod and threading the top, then cut it to size. Steel rod isn't that expensive. Not sure if anyone here has tried it?

Would definitely be doable if you can find the correct grade of stainless. Although I've never broken a mast (have bent them a few times), I'd like to have a spare, so might have to give it a try...
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: Fish67 on November 04, 2017, 10:58:59 AM
I also have thought about buying a steel rod and threading the top, then cut it to size. Steel rod isn't that expensive. Not sure if anyone here has tried it?

Would definitely be doable if you can find the correct grade of stainless. Although I've never broken a mast (have bent them a few times), I'd like to have a spare, so might have to give it a try...
I will give this a try as well as I am curious. [emoji3]
Title: Re: Fin Mast Bent... need advice
Post by: NowhereMan on November 04, 2017, 12:46:41 PM
I will give this a try as well as I am curious. [emoji3]

Let me know what grade is stainless you end up using.