Home made bimini top

[mandolinut]

Jett,
Thanks for your observation and concern. I guess my thinking was I have used the push pins on Hobies for over 20 years without a failure and during that time had a chainplate break and a shroud break from "metal fatigue", both bringing down the mast. It is often the things we do not worry about that bite us on the butt.
I will take your advise this summer and use a standard shackle since I plan on leaving the mast up in a marina for two months. Probably for a Florida day sail I will stick with the pin. Much easier when you are by yourself. Push pins must be kept oiled and free of sand :0)  Thanks again for your concern.

[JBC]

Ah, the little things...just snapped off the pivot pin lever/nut on my rudder while tightening before my last sail a couple of days ago. (Metal fatigue?).  Into the drink.  At least what remained of the nut held tight while sailing.

BTW, took out a Hobie 16 once years ago and had a blast riding up in the air on one pontoon.  Never learned how to tack it properly, though I did manage to keep the thing right side up!

[mandolinut]

I have two boom supports now. a higher one for daysailing to use at anchor and keep the boom from swaying above the bimini and theis new one for trailering.
http://s1167.photobucket.com/albums/q638/mandolinut/?action=view&current=100_2381.jpg