Hydroshock Separating from Rig

[tjmiller76]

I just replaced my hydroshock tendon u-joint with a hydroshock mechanical u-joint because the tendon on my old model developed a tear (it was sailed about 100 times).

However, the 1st time that I used the mechanical model, my rig came off of the u-joint not once, but TWICE (resulting in a nice board ding where the mast extenstion hit the board the 2nd time). I definitely verified that the spring pins were properly engaged after the 1st separation.

Has anyone else had this problem? I certainly did not with my old hydroshock tendon model.

Ive contacted Chinook, & they will replace it for free. However when comparing my old & new u-joints: I dont see any difference in the action of the spring pins that engage the mast extension.

[isobars]

Ive never experienced that problem even once in >20 years of round-the-calendar sailing on 8-10 brands of bases, including at least 20 Chinook bases of all sorts. Differences/problems Id check closely for would include:
1. Are the holes in the mast extension tapered a bit, thus susceptible to using pins with a round profile rather than a square one?
2. Were the old pins square-topped, the new ones round?
3. Weaker pin spring allowing pin retraction (under what force I dont know).
3. Pins tight in holes, thus not engaging fully.
4. Hydroshok cup a tight fit in mast extension, not letting cup insert fully in extension, thus interfering with full pin engagement. One of my Hydroshoks with one of my extensions requires a whack on its bottom (BAD Hydroshok!) to insert the Hydroshok cup fully enough for the pins to work freely and engage fully.
5. OTOH, is there TOO much slop between cup and extension? That could keep the pins from engaging properly.
6. Any chance theres a bit of excess material protruding from the inside of the cup preventing full pin protrusion?
7. Have you kicked any puppies or spit in anybodys burger lately?

Mike \m/

[tjmiller76]

Mike, what exactly do you mean by the cup? Is it the black plastic body that goes into the mast base?

Well, I havent spit in anyones burger - but that puppy sure had it coming...