H260 bent base plate (while lowering the mast)

[pfchenier]

Hello from Montreal, Quebec, I'm new to the group ;
when I lowered my 2003 H260 mast last year, the roller furler got jammed for a second but long enough to put some resistance in the lowering process... Hopefully, the mast was almost at the end of its course ; when my helper freed the tension, the mast finished the last two foot at falling speed... the result: mast is Ok, no kink but the mast base plate bended up for about 1/4" ; my question: from what I presume, the mast base plate from a H260 is cast iron ; is it possible to heat it and reflatened it in position? One of the four holding screws need to be retapped... any advises? thanks, Pierre

 

[Jim Seamans]

Pierre,

Had a similar thing happen to me years ago. Best thing you could do is order a new plate from Hunter. It will save you a lot of aggravation. I believe the plate is steel and can be bent.

Just occurred to me are you talking about the plate at the bottom of the mast or the one on the cabin top? I messed up the plate on the bottom of the mast...

Got pictures?

 

[Rick Webb]

Pick a Part

http://www.usspars.com/section_frame.asp?Section=Z230


then order it from them

http://www.usspars.com/

If it is the part I'm thinking of I did the same thing to mine it is cast aluminium and could not be bent back

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Great links Rick. At $45.00 I would replace with new too.

 

[pfchenier]

Thanks all of you! I'm very happy to see that HunterOwners is an active forum full of resources and experiences ;

yes it is the mast base plate (part#1101) ; I'm going to my boat in two weeks ; I will take pictures and I agree, ordering a new plate make the most sense and for less than 75$ shipping included it is simpler than trying a repair ;

Did USSpars made all of the 2003 H260's fleet ?

 

[Rick Webb]

Check the Part Number in the Casting

I ordered one without diasasembling it first and turns out there were two different ones used and of course the first one I got was the wrong one.

You'll want an impact driver to get the screws out and even then I ended up drilling the screw heads off and using vicegrips to remove the rest of the screw.

Good Luck

 

[LarryH]

A big hammer

MY plate bent as well and i took it to my trailer repair shop. The took a very large hammer to it and and straightened as good s new in about 5 minutes and didnt charge me. The mechanic told me he hammered it on a steel table which helps. A regular hammer wont do the job.... a largerblacksmith hammer was used.. They didnt want to heat it as it would weaken the metal.