Hunter 23.5 - Need a mast pin and boom vang strap

[GGordonWoody]

Hello everyone. We just bought a beautiful, gently used 1996 Hunter 23.5. She's "The Great Escape", one that Dave Condon sold!. All of her former owners kept pretty good records and seemed to take great care of her. Now it's our turn. We've owned a few power boats on Lake Wallenpaupack, but never sailed. We have to sail to the Galapagos and the Marquesas. Eventually. In a bigger boat.

De-trailering?
We just got her back from the marina where they forked her up to finish the bottom paint. I've never moved a boat off a trailer onto dry land, and didn't think this was a good time to learn. I was uncomfortable witnessing this procedure. The forks left marks, they couldn't get her completely off the trailer, and I was really afraid they might hurt her. So I'll be doing that next year, or dead. I saw a steel gantry crane online and was wondering if anyone was doing this with a homemade version.

No Mast Step Pin or Boom Vang Strap!!!
Anyway, we were on a practice run at stepping the mast and discovered the mast step pin was no where to be found. After an hour or so of frantic searching, no bueno. I knew better than to stick just any old 5/16" bolt in there (dissimilar metals, thread chafe, shear, AAAH! I could just hear all of you). I'm thinking I need titanium or diamond or something (well, at least a GOOD hard SS). Plus, I need something called a boom vang strap. I've put a search request into the Sailboat Owner's Parts department. Hopefully one of those guys will find one out in the glove box of their '92 Lincoln Towncar (only car known to pull a 26M, or so I've read). In the meantime, if anyone knows of other sources or work arounds for these, please let me know. Oh. As for the previous owner, I did put in a call but haven't heard back.

Thanks for all the great posts, incredible group here. We're really looking forward to sharing with you all.

Best regards,
GGordonWoody and Marsha-Marsha-Marsha

 

[rgranger]

Woody

Just give the guys at the SBO store a call. If they don't have the part on their website, they know who to call. I also have a new-2-me hunter and they have helped me find a few random odd parts. But I recommend picking up the phone, it is a lot faster than fumbling around on the website.

Fair winds,

The 23.5 is a sweet little boat.... I've had the pleasure of a day sail on one once.

 

[rgranger]

Question.... was the mast up before the guys putting it on a crane started working on it? If so, maybe they have the mast pin. (?)

 

[GGordonWoody]

Hey - nice to hear from you RG! I'll definitely give them a call if I don't see anything before I leave. The marina guys just forked up the boat from the stern to get some paint on hull where she sits on the bunks, and finish painting the center board. I think the PO might have been using two 5/16" clevis pins, and some form of strap between them. His son is heading off to Lackland AFB next week, so I doubt I will hear back before he shove's off. I was really itching to get her wet by the 4th.

I see you hang down at Smith Mountain Lake. I've been there on vacations visiting with Bill Kovacs. He used to own a GMC dealership nearby, and always had the best parties (Coasters, Drifters, and the Tams!). Without a doubt, that's the prettiest lake in the USA. I towed my Kawasaki standup jet ski down there one year and one of the kids smashed it into a dock piling. Hard! Thank God he was ok and only damaged the ski. But I had it repaired at Lake Wallenpaupack by pro-ski racer Chris Maros - and that's how I would up with a house there. I'm gonna figure out this sailing thing (LOL) and get back down there. That is the beauty of owning a trailer sailer. Thanks again.

 

[Rick Macdonald]

Here's a photo of the boom vang strap if you've never seen it.

 

[GGordonWoody]

Rick - thank you so much! Your photo helped me understand what happened. The PO stuck the mast step pin in the TRAILER EXTENSION! Now I remember seeing that pin there, and I found a 1/2" or 5/8" pin in the box of parts, but I couldn't connect the dots. I think I saw the "strap" there too, but I was looking for an actual strap. This is sweet. Ok, I confess. I did order a stainless hex bolt from a very fine farm equipment dealer - but let's just pretend that never happened. Wow, you made my day, I owe you big. And I forgive the PO, his knees are shot, he couldn't get onboard very well and sort things out. I was in a hurry.

This boat might wind up in the Chesapeake (next year) for a real cruise and I was giving some thought to erecting a 48" 100W solar panel on a tee that would sit in place of the mast crutch (or might be part of the mast crutch). Any thoughts (other than TowBoatUS)? Thanks again.

 

[Rick Macdonald]

Ha! Glad to have been able to help.

No idea about mounting a solar panel other than I can't imagine it being help up by a single tee!

 

[Rick Macdonald]

This fellow has a solar panel but I can't see how it's attached:

http://forums.sailboatowners.com/in...e-aerial-photography-rig.179352/#post-1298273

 

[GGordonWoody]

Like this...

 

[GGordonWoody]

Or like this...

...with an adjustable arm from the vertical to the panel, and a stay from each end of the horizontal to a catbird rail. My measurements seem to indicate an 8' vertical will clear the bimini and allow some room to tilt forward. It also provides some extra shade back there. Maybe a rubber doughnut at the base of the mast crutch for shock? The vertical pole provides a place to mount a NEMA box for the charge controller, and provide space to mount a nifty power meter. The vertical should also probably adjust down so you can use the panel as a buffet table. I'm doing it as soon as I learn to sail. But then, does one really ever truly know how to sail?

 

[GGordonWoody]

Oh, and that guy should work for Lucas Light and Magic. I'm sure they have a way to remove the string from every frame - !

 

[Ward H]

I've never been ashamed to use a SS shoulder bolt when the proper size clevis pin couldn't be found. If semi permanent I would make sure the shoulder was long enough for all contact points, put on a nylock nut and cut off the remaining threads with a Dremel tool.

 

[rgranger]

I just recently installed this solar panel on my H26 and here is the thread that describes the process (has part numbers and contact info for supplier...

http://forums.sailboatowners.com/in...nstall-on-a-hunter-26-w-pics-and-part.177625/

 

[rgranger]

Hey it sounds like you found your pin but in case it isn't the right part... I ran across it on the SBO sight while shopping for another part

Here is the link

http://shop.hunterowners.com/hp/part.php?m=26&c=6&p=52421

 

[isaksp00]

I have an H23 on Lake Wallenpaupack, in the vicinity of where Gumble's hardware is - we should share notes sometime.
If you stepped the mast and forgot to slide in the vang strap, use a short piece of thin stout line. I don't even have a strap and simply tie the vang's lower hook to the mast pin - it is easier in any case than trying to hold the mast foot down, slide the pin in while positioning the strap, etc. Works fine for me.
I simply place my solar panel on the cockpit seat when I tie her up, and keep it in the cabin while sailing. I mounted the charge controller in the lazarette area, so all I do is pull the lead out under the lazarette seat hatch and plug in the panel. Now, I don't have an electric start outboard, so all I really need is topping off the deep cycle battery for house, nav lights and stereo.
I don't use bottom paint - but I only ever use the boat in our Lake, never in salt water. If you decide not to bring it to the Bay, you won't need it (all you get is thin grassy scum that the marina can power wash at end of year), and won't have to let them use a fork to lift it (I am not aware of any marinas with strap hoists on Lake W, but someone told me Lighthouse Harbor marina may have one).

 

[GGordonWoody]

Thanks Ward, I never considered that. I did a pretty good job inspecting what I could, but I should have made the PO put up the mast and float her.

 

[GGordonWoody]

Thanks RG. Hunter.SBO got right back to me with all the links I needed, so I bought a spare pin, vang strap, and a topping lift (pretty much the stuff you can't get to when the mast is up). I was also missing the reefing hook on the gooseneck, so I ordered that too. I have a feeling it will show up too, maybe I'll take another look around that trailer when I get back to her (might be lashing down the boat - who knows).

 

[GGordonWoody]

Thanks isaksp00, I'm in Millbrook, I'll be looking for ya. I was considering doing exactly what you said if I couldn't get the strap. I just wasn't sure how much load a cheap 5/16" tractor bolt could handle directly in the middle of it's span (but doubt the boom vang applies much force). The boat came with a small panel for topping off the battery, but the electric start doesn't seem to work just yet. I suspect it might be the outboard starter (engine is older than the boat, hmm). I just need more time up there with her now to get the mast up and float her in to check for any undisclosed problems (leaks, keel, rudder, uphaul, pins, etc.). We'll figure out that sailing thing in time. Good to know about the paint. Lighthouse did the job for me, no one else would touch it. Sailboats are a pariah in those marinas, except for Lighthouse. I like that place. Tough to maneuver a boat around, but great staff. I twice witnessed Mike the service manager wave off charges to two customers the day I was there. They broke down with minor problems and he got them on their way. No such luck for me, $100 to fork her up, $50 to finish the paint (my paint).

 

[GGordonWoody]

Hey RG, nice. I like the panel, thanks for posting it. On a different note, I'm worried about visibility. There's plenty of expensive property tied up around me and I'll have to sit low on the starboard side to manage the motor. That makes it impossible to see anything off the port bow. How does anyone manage the helm like this? I'm thinking I'll need a camera up there. Then steam her in from the cockpit tablet - ha!

Do you get down to the bridge much? I don't remember the name of that place, but it was fun. It had a great night life, is it still up and running? And I remember the shooting a few years back, that was a shocker!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

GGordonwood;
Boy I was surprised it was one my boats that you now own. In fact RGranger owns a boat that I sold originally. Also, you have been down to Smith Mt. Now that is my stompping grounds. Hales Ford Bridge where the welcome center and various other enterprises is the location you are trying to name. If ever asked, when the ribbon was cut at Hales Ford Bridge, the first to cross was the old farmer who owned the property originally that walked across the bridge with his mule and I mean mule. I was there . I use to own a piece of property at the welcome center with a friend as my first place was the welcome center and then later where Conrad brothers is located. I now live an hour and half away, so if you come to SML again, look me up. YOu can reach me via forum email under crazy dave of course. Be glad to help you. As for a mast pin, it is stainless steel pin but if there is a Fastenal nearby, you can probably find a long bolt there if in a pinch. Make sure the bolt is long enough to cut without any threads. SBO will have the piece to attach the boom bang to. Enjoy your boat sir and if I can be of help