First year with a Hunter 260/270 - have a question about the bolts on the struts on the mast. There are bolts on the deck fitting that seem very loose. Are they supposed to be this way or should we tighten them?
260 struts
- Thread starter linda14525
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H260 Struts
FWIW: Depends on what you mean by "loose". Think about the purpose of the struts. They are mainly for keeping the mast vertical when raising or lowering the spar. The bolts on the deck fitting on my have a close fit - but they move freely when stepping the mast. Also, the struts make great handholds when moving around the deck.
FWIW: Depends on what you mean by "loose". Think about the purpose of the struts. They are mainly for keeping the mast vertical when raising or lowering the spar. The bolts on the deck fitting on my have a close fit - but they move freely when stepping the mast. Also, the struts make great handholds when moving around the deck.
Deck fittings...
The bottom end of the struts are captured by a shoulder bolt that leaves some clearance when tightened so the strut ends can pivot as the mast is raised. The ends will move around a little when the bolts are snugged down. In the mast up position, the struts are in compression and don't easily move around. In fact they are designed to provide support to the mast, and you should not operate the boat without them. The struts are poperly adjusted when the mast base pin can be installed or removed without too much effort with the mast down. With the mast up and struts in compression, it is very hard to remove any of the strut mounting hardware -- either top or bottom, and this should not be tried. Fair winds, Tom
The bottom end of the struts are captured by a shoulder bolt that leaves some clearance when tightened so the strut ends can pivot as the mast is raised. The ends will move around a little when the bolts are snugged down. In the mast up position, the struts are in compression and don't easily move around. In fact they are designed to provide support to the mast, and you should not operate the boat without them. The struts are poperly adjusted when the mast base pin can be installed or removed without too much effort with the mast down. With the mast up and struts in compression, it is very hard to remove any of the strut mounting hardware -- either top or bottom, and this should not be tried. Fair winds, Tom
That's interesting Tom
For the struts on my 260 are not under any load at all when the mast is stepped.
For the struts on my 260 are not under any load at all when the mast is stepped.
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