Hunter 260 Demasting

rgranger · May 5, 2018

I'm sorry that happened. I had one of the baby stays pop out while raising mine two summers ago and my mast fell. I had to replace the foot and foot bracket. What exactly happened to yours?

Tom J · May 5, 2018

Our mast for our 23' O'Day was stolen over the winter years ago, and we commissioned a new mast from a local boat builder. It was expensive, but well worth it. Almost like having a new boat.

Crazy Dave Condon · May 6, 2018

Take a picture of the mast and boom. There should be mfg decals on both. Without going into it, there were several mast mfg at the time. Also photos of damaged parts needed as well. As for insurance, not in position to help you there.

BrianW · May 6, 2018

Dave, I’ve seen you post the history of the multiple manufacturers who made the masts for the Hunter water ballasted boats. That info is pure gold! I suggest you provide that in a Hunter owners resource article so it will be permanently available.

rgranger · May 6, 2018

Did the mast bend? If not, you might be able to bet by with new rigging and/or spreaders etc.

Yesterday I was on eBay looking for an H26 that might be parting out and ran across a mast.

Also, I just now did an eBay search for "Sailboat Mast" and got 198 hits. I think we can find you a new-used mast if it comes to that.

Rick Webb · May 6, 2018

one possibility

https://www.usspars.com/boat-information/?vendor=Hunter&model=Hunter+260

Fred · May 7, 2018

Very sorry to hear about your mishap. Hopefully nobody was hurt. Would like to hear more details on the mast raising failure. Did you do something wrong? Which cable broke and where? Was it the cable or a fitting that broke? How did the mast fall? Was the rest of the boat damaged? This info could be very useful to prevent similar incidents for the rest of us. Mast raising always makes me nervous.

Crazy Dave Condon · May 7, 2018

We have asked for further details but nothing as yet. I along with others would like to help but we are guessing until we have further details and until then, I cannot help

Crazy Dave Condon · May 8, 2018

Could not tell which mast mfg this is but one of three:
U. S. Spars (z spar)
DwyervMast
Charleston Spar(Keyon Isomat-Sparcraft)

I could not tell which mast. I was looking for the mast mfg. sticker and barely saw one but could not make out that sticker. @Gypsea Kids can you look on the mast or boom and advise. The standing rigging or wire rigging was made by Seco South in Tampa Florida area.

Trying to stick any mast back in place will require all new rigging and new foot. I would stick with one of the three above masts as any old mast or different one will create other issues.

You mentioned you have insurance and most adjusters know squat. I use to be an adjuster too before being a dealer plus I know theses boats. I will be glad to intercede if you want me to.

Both the Dwyer and U S Spars masts can be ordered through this SBO store and suggest Al Fooks be involved. You cold go direct. As for Charleston Spar, Not sure if SBO can help or if you can go direct to Sparcraft but a dealer for them is Rigrite

All folks here Can you help identify the mast from photos? @Gypsea Kids send me a private message if you need my help

rgranger · May 8, 2018

I think that is a Z-spar mast. If so, there should be a sticker on it someplace near the base that looks like this...

Recently I was on eBay looking for parts for my H26 and ran across someone selling an H26 mast.

Here is the link

https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Spar-Hu...ash=item4ad992639d:g:mYIAAOSwxCxT2N-F&vxp=mtr

He says it is old stock but was never used (i.e. new but old). I also ran across mast foots and bases on eBay. You might be able to reuse much of your standing rigging and keep your tangs and spreader parts from your old mast. Likewise on the wiring.

Good luck.

Fred · May 8, 2018

That must have been a heart stopping and heart sinking feeling! Great news that nobody got hurt, good news that the boat itself doesn't look damaged. Repair would seem to be limited to replacing rigging and mast foot. It still isn't obvious from the pics what actually broke. Perhaps the shrouds on the port side? Forestay? If it was a shroud that would still be mysterious as there is both an upper and lower shroud either of which should support the mast without sails. Do you have pictures of the port side and the bow?

Crazy Dave Condon · May 8, 2018

Unless you can see the mast in person I would be cautious if used plus the age may be an old mast and the price may be too high as the owner may be able to get a new mast as either way he would still have to pay a deductible regardless new or used

Kermit · May 8, 2018

Fred said:
That must have been a heart stopping and heart sinking feeling! Great news that nobody got hurt, good news that the boat itself doesn't look damaged. Repair would seem to be limited to replacing rigging and mast foot. It still isn't obvious from the pics what actually broke. Perhaps the shrouds on the port side? Forestay? If it was a shroud that would still be mysterious as there is both an upper and lower shroud either of which should support the mast without sails. Do you have pictures of the port side and the bow?

The mast broke in half!!! I would not surprised if it got bent previously and was straightened. That mast broke right smack dab in half.I cannot imagine buying a used mast after seeing what happened to that mast.

Jackdaw · May 8, 2018

Crazy Dave Condon said:
Could not tell which mast mfg this is but one of three:
U. S. Spars (z spar)
DwyervMast
Charleston Spar(Keyon Isomat-Sparcraft)

All folks here Can you help identify the mast from photos? @Gypsea Kids send me a private message if you need my help

Ouch that's terrible. Only a B&R rig mast would break there; a traditional frac mast would have broken at the spreaders. Speaking of spreaders, no USspars mast that I know of needs those old-fashioned spreader boots, the tips are designed smooth. So unless someone added them later, its not a USspars spar.

Scott B · May 8, 2018

You can check with these guys. They're just in Oakville.

http://www.klackospars.com/

pateco · May 8, 2018

Scott B said:
You can check with these guys. They're just in Oakville.
http://www.klackospars.com/

Just checked out there website, and saw some pics in there gallery that blew my mind. They trompe l oeil painted an aluminum mast and boom to look like varnished wood. Really cool!!!

mikehammond · May 8, 2018

OMG!!! Sorry to hear about your problem. I have a 96 H26. I recently dropped the mast to change locations. Let me just say that it didn't go well, resulting in a broken mast step. I Like to have never found a replacement. My suggestion is to find a really good resourceful boat yard. I cannot imagine a mast breaking like that. I'm getting ready to move my mine to the Myrtle Beach area and would sure like to talk to you about your mishap. Changing from an inland fresh water lake like Lake Norman to the Atlantic Ocean is giving me pause as to the strength of the mast in a more wind stressed environment. I sure hope you can solve your mast hunting woes. I'll check my resources on my end to see if there are some viable options that I can pass along to you.