Help for Mast Part on H26

[BungalowBill]

Ok, I got in hurry today and I am feeling lower than a 'snake belly in a wagon rut'.I lowered my mast on my H26 and forgot the mini-side stays. The mast leaned over to port and the little fitting on the bottom of the mast where it connects to the deck broke. I still can't believe I forgot the side stays but here I am with a broken rig.Does anyone have a good suggestion on where to find the replacement piece? This is the piece that the pin goes thru when you step the mast. It is connected at the base of mast with about 4 rivets. It seems to made out of aluminum. I will be checking with my nearest Hunter dealer in the a.m. The reason I was pulling the boat out today was to prepare for a trip on Lake Superior later this week. I am feeling that this planned trip will have to be postponed unless someone knows where I can locate this part quickly. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. P.S. I learned a tough lesson about getting in a hurry when you lower the mast. I am glad nobody got hurt.

 

[Rick Webb]

Your Not Alone

I now keep mine attached to the gin pole to make it harder to forget.Check with US Sparshttp://www.usspars.com/index.asp

 

[toomas]

Definitely not alone

It happended to me too and I was lucky when the rivets cracked like matches. Just to put new ones in place, and I was back in business.Now I've learned to use a minute of silence, when I check everything once again before raising or lowering the mast - that's well spent time.

 

[nking]

Mast Base Shoe - Hunter 26

Same thing happened to me a few years ago. I had to trace the part on paper and send dimensions to a rigging fabricator in either S. Carolina or Georgia. (I've forgotten where)Contact Hunter for assistance with who will make one for you.

 

[Ron]

Temporary Weld

I cracked my base first time I stepped mast by leaving U piece for boomvang under mast plate. Cracked the pin hole, but was able to have a guy weld it so I could use it temporarily. Cut rivets off and take to good aluminum welding shop. I think I had to order a new base from US Spars. Hunter will tell you who made mast for your year. Good luck, but my weld job held fine with problems for several weeks.

 

[Rick Macdonald]

US Spars

As Rick said, call Julian at US Spars. It's likely part #1101 and costs $42. There are pictures of the piece showing the top and bottom.Enter 1101 in the "View Part Info" entery field in the link below....RickM...

 

[MABell]

Got mine from Hunter

It's been a few years. They may no longer stock it. Be careful if you try straightening it. The pin alignment will be off. I’ll guarantee you’ll never to that again.

 

[BungalowBill]

Part 1097 is on Order

Thanks for all the advise. I did link up with some nice folks at US Spars and they are mailing me the part this week. FYI, cost is only $30 + shipping. I thought it would most likely be double that price.

 

[Rich L]

Rivets

Did this, too. US Spars sent me what they thought was correct mast foot for H26, but then discovered my spar had been replaced by the PO. I got the new foot just in time for my own week's vacation in the Lake Erie Islands.I choose to use stainless steel rivets which I coated with Tef-Gel. Below is a great thread on fastening to the boom with dissimiliar metals.