Hauling out mast up - H33

[Maurice Doran]

We're hauling out our Hunter 33 with the mast up this year. I know previous owners have done it as I saw old pictures of the boat on the hard with the stick up. We took ours down last year to do some work but plan to leave it up this winter.

My question is, how much tension to release on the shrouds once the boat is on the hard. I asked a local rigger who told me it's best to ease some tension once the boat is in the cradle to prevent any stress cracks from forming on the deck over time. There is a lot of tension on these rigs because there is no backstay, but I don't think the previous owners ever did this so I want to hear from any H33 (or other models without a backstay) who haul out for winter with the stick up.

We get the odd winter storm up in Ontario so I don't want to loosen the stays for nothing.

Any tips or advice is appreciated.

 

[Jake N Eggs]

I have never left the mast up on mine but based on the rig tuning that is done every year I would suggest 1.5 to 2 turns on each turn buckle. Shroud and diagonal. Leave the lower reverse diagonal tight. The shrouds and diagonals should not be sloppy. Lock the turn buckles so they will not back off. Releasing the tension releases the constant stress on the hull but the wind will put more stress on the rig when on the hard than when the boat is in the water. I have not read anything definitive that suggests this but this is my feeling only.

Just watch that the fore-stay doesn't get too loose and flop wildly in the wind.

Hope you had a good season. We will be another 7 or 8 weeks before we come out.

 

[plenny7]

The mast is made of aluminum, and the stays and shrouds are made of stainless steel. As the temps drop in the winter (we're in Minnesota, so we go well below 0°F at times), the aluminum will shrink more than stainless steel so there will be a natural tension release. Would that be enough?

We never loosen our rigging but we have a split backstay, if that matters.

 

[Scott B]

I've left mine up for past 11 years in Georgian Bay, no issues and do not adjust the rigging. Most boats up here store mast up over the winter.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

A lot has to do with the boat on the hard. The weight of the boat rest on the keel while supported by stands with adjustable pads. Most yards have the experience and found leaving the rigging alone with no adjustment. Did this for years as a dealer and never an issue

 

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