H30 mast step replacement

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K7MX

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Aug 3, 2006
7
- - Punta Gorda, Florida
I just bought a 1979 Hunter 30 and of course the mast step is seriously rusted. Does anyone have detailed information about the best way to do this? I'm thinking of replacing that silly steel I-beam with a serious chunk of aluminum or maybe stainless, but would like some guidance from those who have already done this. Any help would be very much appreciated. Don
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
It has only been there for 27 years, must be junk!

Don: What is the big deal. The steel has been there for 27 years. If you put SS you will probably have a reaction with the mast (assuming it is keel stepped). I would just replace it with a nice steel replacement with a few coats of epoxy paint and be done with it.
 
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Ian

if it does not have rust holes

If the I beam does not have rust holes, treat with a rust rebuilder sold for the automotive market. This stuff reacts to rust, stops the process and forms a protective finish. I do not remember the name of the stuff but used it on my 30 '79 Hunter. Turns the rust black. Check it out. Good Luck Ian s/v Meant to Be
 
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Henry Weber

H-30 rebuilt compression post step

7 years ago on H-30 1977 jacked up compression timber 1/2 inch with mast in place, removed rotten steel I-beam section, and replaced with high density steel reinforced concrete poured in place. It was a rather simple solution and has been fine ever since. Good Luck, Henry
 

K7MX

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Aug 3, 2006
7
- - Punta Gorda, Florida
Thanks Henry

Henry- Thanks for the input. I have been thinking of doing the same but using a chunk of aluminum or stainless to do the job. What did you use to jack up the lower end of the compression post? There's not much room in there. I plan to slack the stays and shrouds so that just the weight of the mast is present, pull out the old rusty step, and replace with a new one. Do you think I should epoxy or pin it in place to keep it from moving sideways over time?? Any more suggestions? Thanks again everyone, Don
 
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Henry Weber

Hi Don -- As I remember, I used a couple of car hydraulic jacks and a few 2x4 blocks bolted to the compression post. Go easy it does not have to move very much and the mast is not very heavy but you do need to loosen the shrouds/stays first. I did not attach the new base to the hull but it certainly would be better to do so. Using a metal base is fine too. A buddy of mine did the same thing with an epoxy mixture which he cast in place. It also has been fine. Anything that doesn't crack or corrode away is fine. The repair made the head sliding door and the door into the V-berth work properly again. This problem is quite common with the Cherubini Hunters but it is relatively easy to fix. I also did repairs of the mast step at the deck level. This was actually more involved than under the compression post. For 2 years now I have owned a H-33 Cherubini -- very similar boat. Fortunately, there are no mast step or deck rot problems yet. Both boats are lovely vessels and sail as well as any I have had. Henry
 
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