Well I'm hosed. I was raising my mast today, one of the lines was caught, I stepped to the back of the boat to free it and a puff of wind took the mast sideways. The mast bolt ripped thru the bottom of the mast. Not sure what to do to fix it. It looks as if I could shorten the mast by an inch or so and re-drill the bolt holes. I hate to do that, any suggestions? If this mast cannot be raised singlehandedly I think I am going to have to reconsider keeping the boat.
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Jerry
See Past Files
Joe, I think you're lucky that you didn't rip the bracket out of the cabin top! I would try to come up with a repair and only cut the mast as a last resort. I hope the mast is still straight. I raise and lower my H23 mast by myself, Its not easy, but I've figured out how to do it. I'm making the mast bi-pod to keep it from swinging sideways. You should be able to find it in the archives. I also use a 6'stiff-leg and the main-sheet rigged to the bow. Since I only raise and lower the mast once a year, its doable. Regards, Jerry
Joe, I think you're lucky that you didn't rip the bracket out of the cabin top! I would try to come up with a repair and only cut the mast as a last resort. I hope the mast is still straight. I raise and lower my H23 mast by myself, Its not easy, but I've figured out how to do it. I'm making the mast bi-pod to keep it from swinging sideways. You should be able to find it in the archives. I also use a 6'stiff-leg and the main-sheet rigged to the bow. Since I only raise and lower the mast once a year, its doable. Regards, Jerry
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Bob Mills
WELD IT
tAKE THE MAST TO A LOCAL SHOP THAT CAN WELD ALUMINUN AND i AM SUR THEY CAN MAKE IT ALMOST AS GOOD AS NEW.
tAKE THE MAST TO A LOCAL SHOP THAT CAN WELD ALUMINUN AND i AM SUR THEY CAN MAKE IT ALMOST AS GOOD AS NEW.
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Ward Niffenegger
Bob's Right
Welding it is a very viable option. Check around and make sure you go to a reputable shop. My port shroud cracked nearly in 1/2 and I had it welded. It is good as new. The aluminum in the mast is high grade (aircraft) type metal so make sure the welders understand what they are doing. good luck Ward
Welding it is a very viable option. Check around and make sure you go to a reputable shop. My port shroud cracked nearly in 1/2 and I had it welded. It is good as new. The aluminum in the mast is high grade (aircraft) type metal so make sure the welders understand what they are doing. good luck Ward
Sleeve Process.
I have also seen a process that the place a sleeve inside the mast and joint two pieces together with aircraft quality rivets (flush). I would just find someone who is familiar with masts to give you an idea on this. Having a failure on a mast can kill someone.
I have also seen a process that the place a sleeve inside the mast and joint two pieces together with aircraft quality rivets (flush). I would just find someone who is familiar with masts to give you an idea on this. Having a failure on a mast can kill someone.
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ALLEN
BAD LUCK
I CAN RELATE TO YOUR PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH I DO NOT OWN A HUNTER I TRAILER MY 23' SANTANA AND THE MAST RAISING IS ALWAYS INTERESTING. I DO THINK I COULD RAISE IT MY SELF THOUGH. THE TASK IS CHALLANGING THOUGH. EVERYTHING MUST BE DOUBLE CHECKED. THEN I HOIST AWAY QUICKLY TO GET THE MOMENTUM GOING. DID I MENTION I AM REISING 30' OF MAST. DON'T GIVE UP, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE AT THE LAUNCH THAT WOOULD HELP FOR A FEW MINUTES. ALLEN
I CAN RELATE TO YOUR PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH I DO NOT OWN A HUNTER I TRAILER MY 23' SANTANA AND THE MAST RAISING IS ALWAYS INTERESTING. I DO THINK I COULD RAISE IT MY SELF THOUGH. THE TASK IS CHALLANGING THOUGH. EVERYTHING MUST BE DOUBLE CHECKED. THEN I HOIST AWAY QUICKLY TO GET THE MOMENTUM GOING. DID I MENTION I AM REISING 30' OF MAST. DON'T GIVE UP, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE AT THE LAUNCH THAT WOOULD HELP FOR A FEW MINUTES. ALLEN
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Mark Kissel
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Jim Parks
Ignore it.
I had the same thing happen on my 1987 H 23 when the mast swung out while I was raising it. I lost a nugget at the bottom of my mast where the bolt pulled through. My solution was to do nothing. After being raised, the mast is still held in place by the bolt. The shrouds and stays supply enough compression force to keep the mast where it belongs on the mast step. I've sailed five seasons like this and had no problems (even raced the boat!) whatsoever. There has been no further deformation of the base of the mast due to the missing chunk of mast. Let me know; if you want, I can E- Mail you a picture of how badly damaged the bottom of the mast is. If yours is about the same, you can confidently ignore it.
I had the same thing happen on my 1987 H 23 when the mast swung out while I was raising it. I lost a nugget at the bottom of my mast where the bolt pulled through. My solution was to do nothing. After being raised, the mast is still held in place by the bolt. The shrouds and stays supply enough compression force to keep the mast where it belongs on the mast step. I've sailed five seasons like this and had no problems (even raced the boat!) whatsoever. There has been no further deformation of the base of the mast due to the missing chunk of mast. Let me know; if you want, I can E- Mail you a picture of how badly damaged the bottom of the mast is. If yours is about the same, you can confidently ignore it.
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Ward
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Jon Bastien
Wouldn't ignore it if...
...You have to step/unstep regularly. Eventually the part WILL wear, and break when you need it most. I was able to ignore a half-broken mast base for about 15 months, but it gave way when I was LOWERING the mast- and BOY, did it crash to the deck! I didn't see any of the other guys post the question, so... Which mast do you have? There were a few different ones available, and it makes a difference when you look for repair parts... If you have the Z-Spar rig, you can check out http://www.usspars.com to see if they have your part; If so, they should be able to help you (although your best bet with them is to GET THEM ON THE PHONE!). Good luck! --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind' H25 'Adagio'
...You have to step/unstep regularly. Eventually the part WILL wear, and break when you need it most. I was able to ignore a half-broken mast base for about 15 months, but it gave way when I was LOWERING the mast- and BOY, did it crash to the deck! I didn't see any of the other guys post the question, so... Which mast do you have? There were a few different ones available, and it makes a difference when you look for repair parts... If you have the Z-Spar rig, you can check out http://www.usspars.com to see if they have your part; If so, they should be able to help you (although your best bet with them is to GET THEM ON THE PHONE!). Good luck! --Jon Bastien H23 '2 Sheets to the Wind' H25 'Adagio'
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Joe
Thanks for the advice
I have a Francespar mast, as with everything else on the boat, the manufacturer is no longer in business. I have gotten alot of good advice. I actually found a welder/fabricator here who has experience with sailboat masts. I am going to take it by his shop on Thursday and see what he can do. I also talked with him about fabricating a hinged mast step. Does anyone have a H23 with a hinge? If so does it make raising it steadier? Cold front coming thru by the weekend, I got to get her back in the water..... Thanks Joe
I have a Francespar mast, as with everything else on the boat, the manufacturer is no longer in business. I have gotten alot of good advice. I actually found a welder/fabricator here who has experience with sailboat masts. I am going to take it by his shop on Thursday and see what he can do. I also talked with him about fabricating a hinged mast step. Does anyone have a H23 with a hinge? If so does it make raising it steadier? Cold front coming thru by the weekend, I got to get her back in the water..... Thanks Joe
Mast base castings
I found out that there is an aftermarket base casting for the Z-Spar mast that is much sturdier than the piece of junk that came with my boat (which I broke a few months ago when trying to lower the mast for the first). The hinge at the rear of this casting is much beefier than the stock casting. It has two widely spaced pivots (instead of one narrow one) and a much bigger pin than the stock casting. The base plate also has horizontal flanges on both sides with four holes so you can rig turning blocks to bring the halyards, cunningham and other lines back to the cockpit. As soon as I can get my mast down and pull out the old casting, I am going to get one of these new castings. The only other thing I will have to do is cut a new exit above the base of the mast for the main halyard. Peter S/V Raven
I found out that there is an aftermarket base casting for the Z-Spar mast that is much sturdier than the piece of junk that came with my boat (which I broke a few months ago when trying to lower the mast for the first). The hinge at the rear of this casting is much beefier than the stock casting. It has two widely spaced pivots (instead of one narrow one) and a much bigger pin than the stock casting. The base plate also has horizontal flanges on both sides with four holes so you can rig turning blocks to bring the halyards, cunningham and other lines back to the cockpit. As soon as I can get my mast down and pull out the old casting, I am going to get one of these new castings. The only other thing I will have to do is cut a new exit above the base of the mast for the main halyard. Peter S/V Raven
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Joe
I am back in the water
Well I took the mast to a welder today. Fixed good as new. I thought it would be best. I am grateful for the advice. I'm off to the lake tomorrow...... Joe
Well I took the mast to a welder today. Fixed good as new. I thought it would be best. I am grateful for the advice. I'm off to the lake tomorrow...... Joe
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