After removing my Mast Block I was surprised to find a preformed styrofoam insert had already been installed in the upper section of the Mast. Running a long piece of wood molding up from the bottom found the styrofoam to be approx 8' long. All I did was seal the gap between the insert & mast with outdoor foam-friendly consruction adhesive. Then did some testing at the boat launch. 20 minutes on it's side and no taking on of water at all. Top of mast submerged only to the upper shroud tangs and with me pushing mast to bottom (3') would pop back up. Note that Main & Boom were left off and Centerboard was left retracted. Figured leaving the CB up would put even more pressure on the top of mast to force it under...a better test for confidence. My hull is a mid 2002. Suspect the styrofoam was either a running change or temporary test by Hunter. The insert is manufactured and likely installed my Dwyer at Hunters request. Appears the mast hardware riveting holds it from sliding down. Anyway glad to find it on mine. Owners with newer boats should be able to tell with a wire probe inserted from the top. You'll feel it if you poke around. Top of the foam is about 4" below top of Mast. Sealing the gap may not even be needed but since I had it apart figured might as well. I'll add pipe insulation to boom as a good measure. Overall, I see plenty of time to allow righting after a capsize without having to race. Joe
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Foam suprise
Awesome...and very strange. Why did Hunter stop doing this? Did they find that it wasn't secure enough, so sell the mast float as an option instead? It can't be cost - that has to be a very low cost item for Hunter to add during manufacture. I really can't believe that they think it's ok to sell a boat that turtles when the technology is there to solve the problem! Before riveting stuff to the mast IS the right time to insert the foam - it's a much cleaner and more effective job that way. Even if we could order the foam from Dwyer, we couldn't get it in past those rivets. Plus, can't beat the price of discarded foam noodles!! Thanks for the picture.
Awesome...and very strange. Why did Hunter stop doing this? Did they find that it wasn't secure enough, so sell the mast float as an option instead? It can't be cost - that has to be a very low cost item for Hunter to add during manufacture. I really can't believe that they think it's ok to sell a boat that turtles when the technology is there to solve the problem! Before riveting stuff to the mast IS the right time to insert the foam - it's a much cleaner and more effective job that way. Even if we could order the foam from Dwyer, we couldn't get it in past those rivets. Plus, can't beat the price of discarded foam noodles!! Thanks for the picture.
Pandora's Box
Tereza, Didn't want to open one! Was surprised myself for sure. Maybe newer 170's only are made this way?.?. Other Owner Comments? Joe
Tereza, Didn't want to open one! Was surprised myself for sure. Maybe newer 170's only are made this way?.?. Other Owner Comments? Joe
2002 hull number
Joe, Consider yourself lucky. My 170 is a 2002 model, #HUN17809E202, and the mast that came with it did not have a foam insert. Where in the sequence is your hull number, compared with mine? And how do you decipher the number to determine the production date? I'm curious to know if some, or all, newer 170s have factory-installed foam in the mast tube. If you contact Hunter tech, maybe they'll explain. And thanks for sharing the results of the capsize test. How cold was Oneida Lake? Rick
Joe, Consider yourself lucky. My 170 is a 2002 model, #HUN17809E202, and the mast that came with it did not have a foam insert. Where in the sequence is your hull number, compared with mine? And how do you decipher the number to determine the production date? I'm curious to know if some, or all, newer 170s have factory-installed foam in the mast tube. If you contact Hunter tech, maybe they'll explain. And thanks for sharing the results of the capsize test. How cold was Oneida Lake? Rick
not on mine
My 2005 170 did not have a foam insert in the mast. Nor did the other 170s in our club. We all had to install them ourselves. Brian
My 2005 170 did not have a foam insert in the mast. Nor did the other 170s in our club. We all had to install them ourselves. Brian
Hull I.D.
Rick, Here's a sample: HUN17XXXE202 HUN=Hunter 17=170 XXX=Hull Number (010 would be the tenth hull) E=Month Made (A=Jan, B=Feb etc) 2=Built in Year (2002) 02=Model Year My actual is HUN17814E202. Concider that non-hull components are likely manufactured somewhat/much prior. Hull I.D. ok as a guide. I wonder if '03s and later have the preform...? Oneida wasn't bad. Just had chest waders on and with the exitement took on a gallon or two. A little cool but better than a month ago! I think before I do a Boomkicker, a better investment here would be a wetsuit
So far reading here, I DO feel lucky. Perhaps I have an unintended escapee! Stopping the preform install could be due to the operation mucking up the production line/clogging/causing malfuction of rivet guns etc. Who knows. Another Hunter mystery. Joe
Rick, Here's a sample: HUN17XXXE202 HUN=Hunter 17=170 XXX=Hull Number (010 would be the tenth hull) E=Month Made (A=Jan, B=Feb etc) 2=Built in Year (2002) 02=Model Year My actual is HUN17814E202. Concider that non-hull components are likely manufactured somewhat/much prior. Hull I.D. ok as a guide. I wonder if '03s and later have the preform...? Oneida wasn't bad. Just had chest waders on and with the exitement took on a gallon or two. A little cool but better than a month ago! I think before I do a Boomkicker, a better investment here would be a wetsuit
So far reading here, I DO feel lucky. Perhaps I have an unintended escapee! Stopping the preform install could be due to the operation mucking up the production line/clogging/causing malfuction of rivet guns etc. Who knows. Another Hunter mystery. Joe- Status