40.5 Galley table

Feb 10, 2004
4,151
Hunter 40.5 Warwick, RI
Yes. The counter-weight inside of the mast compression tube gets stuck. It probably gets rusty and sticks to the inside of the tube.
I don't know of a tried & true workable solution to free it.

Although I have not tried this, perhaps you could drop a stiff wire into the tube until it touches the weight and use that distance to locate the position of the weight. Then tap on the outside of the compression tube with a rubber hammer to loosen the weight.
Using a camera on a wire you could confirm the problem before starting. There are also rust dissolving solutions that might work as well.
I simply don't need to lower the table.
 
Oct 26, 2010
2,158
Hunter 40.5 Beaufort, SC
Off course you have released the clamp? Once you get it lowered, "exercise it" frequently just like your through hulls. The best way to keep it from rusting in place is not to let is set in the same place all the time.

You might try pulling it up carefully (grab the clamp handle and rotate a little as you lift). If the counterweight is stuck as Rich suggested, this will give some "slack" for the weight to dislodge and release as you tap the compression tube.

I don't have a problem with lowering or raising mine with this routine.
 
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Likes: Rich Stidger
Nov 8, 2023
8
Hunter 40.5 Schoharie
Thank You for the Idea's. I can swing the table back and forth to get it higher or lower. I do have a camera to look in side. I will let you know how I make out, I thing it will be an on the hard project this winter. But I will start to spray it now with some rust dissolving solutions.
 
Oct 26, 2010
2,158
Hunter 40.5 Beaufort, SC
IF you can swing it back and forth (around the compression post) and raise or lower it AND the line to the weight remains taught when you raise and lower it, then your weight is not stuck and you really don't have a problem. Make sure the clamp T-handle is loose and just rotate a little each way as you raise and lower. If your weight was really stuck, you'd get slack in the line as you raised it and you wouldn't be able to push it down. Based on your last post, I don't think your weight is stuck. You might try exercising it some and make sure the compression post is cleaned and even try a little spray wax or dry lube spray on the compression post. It won't hurt to put a little rust remover spray down the inside of the compression post but I don't think it will make any difference and most of those sprays smell and will for a long time. My Admiral would say "no way."