Bent Stachions

Status
Not open for further replies.
P

Pete

What's the best way to fix these? Two stanchions on the port side were bent in when I purchased the boat. I'm guessing it was a shrinkwrap or cover issue with the previous owner. I'm not familiar enough with what they're made out of to know if they can be removed and bent back into shape or will that cause an integrity problem similar to when you bend a car antenna. Should I just purchase new or is it okay to remove and attempt to reshape? Thanks. Pete
 
P

Paul Akers

Not Cover or Shrink Wrap

I doubt it is the cover or shrink wrap that has bent the stanchions. Aside from brushing something as the boat approached an object one cause could be the way the boat was hauled. I had the same problem on by L37 and wondereded until I saw the boat hauled. I bent 5 of 6 stanchions. If the boat was lifted by a crane that was using the "X" bracket with the slings underneath, then if the boat's beam is wider than the width of the "X" and the lifelines were left attached, then the lifting pulled the straps against the lifelines and they, in turn, pulled the stanchions in and probably bent them. I noticed it the time I saw my boat hauled. That is exactly why the yard preferrs that the owner not be there when the boat is hauled. The owner can see too much.
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Order new ones!

Pete: Once a tube is bent, you are probably better off replacing the entire unit. If you really want to fix it, you probably can get it straightened and the put a rod inside to maintain the rigidity. You may be able to order them off of this website. Also Garhauer Marine makes them too. One of the previous posts asked the proverbial question "which model boat?".
 
Jun 9, 2004
165
Hunter 37-cutter San Francisco Bay
buy new

My experience was that to pay a welding shop, and have a good quality job, actually costs more than replacement. If you can do the welding, and insert the steel support, than you might save a few dollars. S.
 
K

Kevin Bladsacker

Just had it done

Had a local prop repair shop do it for $30 US. Much cheaper than buying new ones.
 
Dec 2, 2003
4,245
- - Seabeck WA
My rail shop did it for free

They were doing lots of other work though. Even so, unless they're kinked, repair is quick and easy. (with the right tools)
 
P

Pete

A welder I am not

Thanks for all the responses. Patrick, she's an '88 Hunter 33.5. We live off Prospect and the boat is over at Brewer's presently. Paul - interesting point. She does have a wide Beam. Perhaps I'll make a point to be present for launching. I'll get an estimate from Hunter first and then see what our local shop will run. Thanks again to all. Pete
 
Dec 23, 2003
268
Hunter H31 83-87 Captain's Cove Bridgeport, CT
Hunter Replacements

Pete I have a 1987 Hunter 31 and got two replacement last year from them at a cost of $55.98 each. Stanchions are the same. The part # is 305980. Their Parts Dept phone # 386-462-5746. See you on the Sound in a few months!
 
P

Pete

Thank you

Patrick - thank you, very much appreciated. Looking forward to next season.
 
Dec 3, 2003
544
None None Rochester, NY
Tops in Quality

I covered my 33.5 this winter using a scheme that was featured in "Good Old Boat" magazine. I left the wooden upright supports secured to the stanchions. Bad idea *cry. We had some terrific wind storms after I covered the boat. The winds were from the west and the boat is north-south. The cover acted like a sail and put so much pressure on the wooden supports that it broke a couple wooden pieces and placed strain on the three port stanchions causing one to break at the weld at the base and two to break the weld at the support brackets at the bottom. I have removed them and plan on calling Tops-In-Quality to see if they will look at them to either repair or replace. They replaced a bow pulpit on my old H33 and did a great job. The link below is to their web site.
 
J

Jim

check out new ones at Garhauer

I replaced all of mine with new from Garhauer they are about $25.00 each without a base and another $25 for the base.
 
Dec 3, 2003
544
None None Rochester, NY
Results of my research

Pete, I called Hunter to get a quote on replacement stanchions for my 33.5. They did not have any and would have to order them. The estimated cost was over $85 each. I called Tops-In-Quality, sent them photographs, then shipped the three broken stanchions to them. They called the same day they arrived and said that one could be repaired for $30. The other two had to have the base replaced by cutting the stanchion and welding a new base. Price for each is about $65. I gave them the OK to do that knowing that these three stanchions will match exactly the other three on the starboard side. Moral of the story: Do not secure your wooden winter frame to the stanchions.
 
P

Pete

Thanks

Thanks for everyone's assistance. For those of you near CT, you'll know we've been hit with some serious cold and are bracing for a good storm this weekend. I hope to get a chance to be on the boat and pull the stanchions in mid-February and have them fixed from there. Thanks again.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.