1984 H31 Somethings got to be wrong, this can't be right. The bottom of my boom is 5 feet above the cockpit floor, and I've got knots on my head to remind me. The boom runs on a steep uphill grade from aft forward. Just had a new bimini made and tried my best to keep the forward bow from interfering with the boom, but it does. It looks like the mainsail headplate is about 1 foot from the masthead, but I can't raise it anymore cause the gooseneck is fastened to the mast. This is my plan.....drill out the gooseneck rivits, raise the main all the way up, mark the gooseneck and secure to mast. If this doesn't get the aft end of the boom up enough, I guess I'll have to take it to a sailmaker and trim the foot. However, this could affect sail shape. Right? What have you other 31 sailors done? My sail hasn't been altered. Why didn't Hunter use a slide system with a cunningham so the gooseneck could slide up and down? Any help/ideas appreciated.
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recut your sail
The boom on my 31 sat a little low until I replaced the main. It had stretched a bit over the years. It could have been recut if it has life left in it. Talk to a sailmaker
The boom on my 31 sat a little low until I replaced the main. It had stretched a bit over the years. It could have been recut if it has life left in it. Talk to a sailmaker
Boom Height
Sounds like your topping lift is to loose. Released your main sheet and boom vang and take up on your topping lift untill the boom is level. Raise the main sail, it should now go to the top. Then loosen up on the topping lift. When not sailing I always take up on the topping lift to give myself more headroom and less head-Doom!
Sounds like your topping lift is to loose. Released your main sheet and boom vang and take up on your topping lift untill the boom is level. Raise the main sail, it should now go to the top. Then loosen up on the topping lift. When not sailing I always take up on the topping lift to give myself more headroom and less head-Doom!
Speaking of pre-bend
I was surprised at the amount of pre-bend in the mast of my '87 H31. The broker said it was normal (surprised?). Can somebody tell me how much pre-bend is 'normal'? The mast is not original, and there doesn't seem to be any excessive tension on the backstay. Also, the mainsail often seems to be 'baggy' so I'm wondering if it isn't cut for or coping with the mast pre-bend.... I think I need to start paying more attention to sail trim... Cheers, Bob Werner s/v X SAIL R 8
I was surprised at the amount of pre-bend in the mast of my '87 H31. The broker said it was normal (surprised?). Can somebody tell me how much pre-bend is 'normal'? The mast is not original, and there doesn't seem to be any excessive tension on the backstay. Also, the mainsail often seems to be 'baggy' so I'm wondering if it isn't cut for or coping with the mast pre-bend.... I think I need to start paying more attention to sail trim... Cheers, Bob Werner s/v X SAIL R 8
boom height
my 31 is the same way , several members of the same club with hunter 31 have had the mainsail cut so to lift the back of the boom so the the boom moves freely over the bimini, doesnt seem to effect the shape enough to really matter unless .1 knot in light air effects your plans.
my 31 is the same way , several members of the same club with hunter 31 have had the mainsail cut so to lift the back of the boom so the the boom moves freely over the bimini, doesnt seem to effect the shape enough to really matter unless .1 knot in light air effects your plans.
My luff is tight....
If the luff is tight, and the sail isn't going all the way up, irrespective of all other factors, the gooseneck has to be moved up. Correct? I think I should move the gooseneck up and if the boom is still too low, I'll be headed to the sailmaker. Bob....I think 4-6 inches of prebend is recommened, but if you have a manual, it's in there. I'll post it after checking my manual. I don't think prebend is going to make enough difference in my case.
If the luff is tight, and the sail isn't going all the way up, irrespective of all other factors, the gooseneck has to be moved up. Correct? I think I should move the gooseneck up and if the boom is still too low, I'll be headed to the sailmaker. Bob....I think 4-6 inches of prebend is recommened, but if you have a manual, it's in there. I'll post it after checking my manual. I don't think prebend is going to make enough difference in my case.
Don't Modify the Spars.
Gary, Most sailmakers use 85° between luff and foot on mainsails. This often gives a level boom when sheeted hard. Some years back there was a craze within IOR to have "Droop Booms". This allowed a bit more sail area which was not measured under the rule. We all had nasty cracks on the head. I suggest you do not modify the gooseneck as no other sail will fit properly unless specially made with a droop foot. Far better to have a small tapering panel ADDED at the tack and extending along the foot. This should allow a full hoist and a level boom
Gary, Most sailmakers use 85° between luff and foot on mainsails. This often gives a level boom when sheeted hard. Some years back there was a craze within IOR to have "Droop Booms". This allowed a bit more sail area which was not measured under the rule. We all had nasty cracks on the head. I suggest you do not modify the gooseneck as no other sail will fit properly unless specially made with a droop foot. Far better to have a small tapering panel ADDED at the tack and extending along the foot. This should allow a full hoist and a level boom
84 Mainsail?
If this is an original equipment sail, I'd bet its past retirement age. Why not set up the mast according to the rake and prebend its supposed to have and have a good local sailmaker come out and measure the rig for the correct hoist, luff curve, foot length and clew height. Raise the clew measurement to provide sufficient clearance for a Bimini while you're at it and you'll never believe the difference with a new main!
If this is an original equipment sail, I'd bet its past retirement age. Why not set up the mast according to the rake and prebend its supposed to have and have a good local sailmaker come out and measure the rig for the correct hoist, luff curve, foot length and clew height. Raise the clew measurement to provide sufficient clearance for a Bimini while you're at it and you'll never believe the difference with a new main!
Nope.....
It's not an original equipment main. As Jeff pointed out, this is a common concern with H31 owners trying to have stand up height under their biminis. Just trying to determine the best way to accomplish this. Thanks for the advice....Gary
It's not an original equipment main. As Jeff pointed out, this is a common concern with H31 owners trying to have stand up height under their biminis. Just trying to determine the best way to accomplish this. Thanks for the advice....Gary
top liftting
i'm betting on the top liftting if everthing else is equal. however, if you have a dutchman, you will only be able to lift the boom to were the dutchman connects to the top liftting.
i'm betting on the top liftting if everthing else is equal. however, if you have a dutchman, you will only be able to lift the boom to were the dutchman connects to the top liftting.
Took a look
I took a look and my mainsail only goes to about a foot below the top of the mast. The boom seems to 'droop' a bit when the topping lift is relaxed with the sail up. I'm sure it's not the original sail, so I wonder if the replacement sail was cut a bit short. I don't think I'm going to do anything drastic, like move the boom. We cruise to the Channel Islands and achieve hull speed + most of the time, so performance isn't a major factor. If the sail needs replaced in year or two I own the boat, I'll do as people mentioned in this thread and obtain the services of a good local sailmaker and get the sail cut right. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
I took a look and my mainsail only goes to about a foot below the top of the mast. The boom seems to 'droop' a bit when the topping lift is relaxed with the sail up. I'm sure it's not the original sail, so I wonder if the replacement sail was cut a bit short. I don't think I'm going to do anything drastic, like move the boom. We cruise to the Channel Islands and achieve hull speed + most of the time, so performance isn't a major factor. If the sail needs replaced in year or two I own the boat, I'll do as people mentioned in this thread and obtain the services of a good local sailmaker and get the sail cut right. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
How the heck......?
can the topping lift prevent the main from raising all the way up? Unless I'm missing something here, the topping lift is for the sole purpose of holding up the boom when not sailing....am I wrong? I still think Hunter designed the main to allow the boom's aft to run very low in the cockpit.
can the topping lift prevent the main from raising all the way up? Unless I'm missing something here, the topping lift is for the sole purpose of holding up the boom when not sailing....am I wrong? I still think Hunter designed the main to allow the boom's aft to run very low in the cockpit.
Topping Lift
Don't confuse me with an expert, but.... I agree with your assessment on the topping lift. Since the boom is fixed, I can only think that either the sail shrank, or it was cut short in the first place. I've been resisting the temptation to crank harder on the halyard winch to see if the sail would stretch...... nahhh, I'm not in that big a hurry to replace the sail! Ahhh, the mysteries of a used boat.... Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
Don't confuse me with an expert, but.... I agree with your assessment on the topping lift. Since the boom is fixed, I can only think that either the sail shrank, or it was cut short in the first place. I've been resisting the temptation to crank harder on the halyard winch to see if the sail would stretch...... nahhh, I'm not in that big a hurry to replace the sail! Ahhh, the mysteries of a used boat.... Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
More Head Room in the Cockpit
Hi, I had a similar problem with my Hunter 31 when I bought it. The best solution is to raise the mast fitting (where the goose neck attaches to) about six inches up the mast and recut the mainsail if necessary. A good sail maker can take the measurements on your boat, relocate the mast fitting and recut the mainsail. I now enjoy a 6' 4" standard headroom under by full bimini and no problems. After all this is done make sure to hoist the mainsail correctly: point into the wind, release the mainsheet and boom vang completely loose and possibly loosen the outhaul a bit, then raise the mainsail and make sure that the main halyard does not stretch. Then tighten the outhaul and you should be set. I hope this helps Ed
Hi, I had a similar problem with my Hunter 31 when I bought it. The best solution is to raise the mast fitting (where the goose neck attaches to) about six inches up the mast and recut the mainsail if necessary. A good sail maker can take the measurements on your boat, relocate the mast fitting and recut the mainsail. I now enjoy a 6' 4" standard headroom under by full bimini and no problems. After all this is done make sure to hoist the mainsail correctly: point into the wind, release the mainsheet and boom vang completely loose and possibly loosen the outhaul a bit, then raise the mainsail and make sure that the main halyard does not stretch. Then tighten the outhaul and you should be set. I hope this helps Ed
Main won't raise any higher...
I removed the front section of the main's foot from the boom and tried to raise the main higher.....won't happen. There must be a stop in the track on the mast up there. Guess I'm doomed to have the sail trimmed.....Gary
I removed the front section of the main's foot from the boom and tried to raise the main higher.....won't happen. There must be a stop in the track on the mast up there. Guess I'm doomed to have the sail trimmed.....Gary
Check your halyard...
I had some what of the same problem on my boat when I bought it. It had a 1/2" main halyard. Hunter said 7/16" the largest you should used. The splice at the eye on the 1/2" line would not go through the mast, stopping my main sail from reaching full height.
I had some what of the same problem on my boat when I bought it. It had a 1/2" main halyard. Hunter said 7/16" the largest you should used. The splice at the eye on the 1/2" line would not go through the mast, stopping my main sail from reaching full height.
Changed it out already...
It had a worn 7/16 halyard, and I replaced with 3/8 which is well sufficient for this sail IMHO. Thanks
It had a worn 7/16 halyard, and I replaced with 3/8 which is well sufficient for this sail IMHO. Thanks
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