Hunter 260 Demasting

[Kermit]

As had as these stories are to hear I’m glad to hear them. Other than the weight of the mast I’ve never had any real trouble stepping and unstepping it.
@mikehammond I bought my H260 from from a couple on Lake Norman. @Crazy Dave Condon sold it to them in 1999.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

@mikehammond and others. Since insurance is involved and I know these boats all too well due to my involvement plus I was an adjuster at one point, I can help the owner out if he wants my help now that we know insurance is involved. Most adjusters do not know squat. @Kermit knows very well where I am coming from as the first adjuster knew nothing to say the least. I helped with his claim. Kermit please chime in as the owner may get confused and some adjusters may try to give him a run around.

 

[Kermit]

I’ll chime loudly and clearly as long as I know what I’m talking about. And even louder when I have no clue!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Kermit, last year you had trouble with the first adjuster on a claim submitted after I started working on it. Your carrier paid the entire claim I submitted which you thanked me verified by the marine surveyor whom I spoke with on two occasions. There is more but you were over joyed when payment

@Jackdaw , confirmed with owner of SBO just now and you are correct. Either Charleston Spar or Dwyer . Thank you kindly for your help.

@Gypsea Kids , please take photos of the front of mast, connection where mast raising mast pole attaches to front of mast, mast step/foot and any stickers on mast so we can identify for you.

I will send you a private message later and if you want my help, I will help you. I ask for nothing in return.

 

[Rick Webb]

Mast foot does not look like UsSpar

 

[Gypsea Kids]

Gents
Thanks so much for all the information. Still waiting for the adjuster to contact me. I'll be down at the boat tomorrow afternoon and will take the requested photo's. Just to be clear, it had nothing to do with the mast raising itself. While positioning the boat to the ramp the driver (Admiral), got to close to a pole that had a horizontal bar attached to it. The horizontal portion came in contact with the right side stays. I was talking to another boater on the ramp at the time. In regards to the H26 mast on ebay; I think I'll pass. What I'd gain in savings I'd likely pay in shipping. Once I know more in regards to insurance, I'll investigate the Klacko option as they are only a couple of hours away. Here is one photo of the hundreds the Admiral took after the event. I don't see a sticker though. Should I be looking for a stamping in the aluminum perhaps?

 

[Gypsea Kids]

Oh, and no one was hurt (physically!).

 

[Gypsea Kids]

Perhaps this might help; The hull number is: HUN0771H899

 

[Gypsea Kids]

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

http://www.klackospars.com/

Thanks Scott. What an amazing website!

 

[Fred]

got to close to a pole that had a horizontal bar attached to it. The horizontal portion came in contact with the right side stays.

Ok. That makes more sense. Unfortunate but obviously not a design problem. I wish you the best of luck in getting this remedied and recovering some of our already short sailing season. I’m sure that the admiral is feeling very badly about it all.

 

[Scott B]

Thanks Scott. What an amazing website!

No problem.

I also had an insurance claim last year and the adjuster assigned was more auto motive and small boat ( 18 ft outboard style ) experience .luckily I knew a good marine surveyor and he put me in touch with the right people to do the repairs. Happy to pass along any info you may need.

 

[mikehammond]

Gents
Thanks so much for all the information. Still waiting for the adjuster to contact me. I'll be down at the boat tomorrow afternoon and will take the requested photo's. Just to be clear, it had nothing to do with the mast raising itself. While positioning the boat to the ramp the driver (Admiral), got to close to a pole that had a horizontal bar attached to it. The horizontal portion came in contact with the right side stays. I was talking to another boater on the ramp at the time. In regards to the H26 mast on ebay; I think I'll pass. What I'd gain in savings I'd likely pay in shipping. Once I know more in regards to insurance, I'll investigate the Klacko option as they are only a couple of hours away. Here is one photo of the hundreds the Admiral took after the event. I don't see a sticker though. Should I be looking for a stamping in the aluminum perhaps?

That photo looks quite familiar...........Mine had a clean complete break when my mast fell. Luckily it didn't break or damage the deck or structure. I would conclude that the cast aluminum material of the mast step was designed to break prior to damaging the deck structure. Good Luck!

 

[mikehammond]

@Kermit I have to admit that I wasn't familiar with stepping the mast on the H26. My son and I felt like we could lower it with a simple block and tackle. Sir Isaac Newton took over very quickly and the mast fell. I own the fact that it was my fault for the mast coming down the way that it did. However, it sure would have helped if Hunter could have made a video of the mast lowering system. After being shown by the boat yard manager, (thanks to Tim At All Seasons Marina on Lake Norman) It's really not that difficult a process to raise and lower the mast. But if one is not use to it, It can be a bit of a challenge. Thanks for your responses!!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I have always for security advised never to put your contact info in this forum and if so remove it. If you want to give your contact info suggest sending it thru private message

 

[jwilcoxon78]

Also, since you're making in insurance claim, be sure you understand what happened to cause the fall/break of the mast. Most insurance policies, if not all, do not cover mechanical failure. However, they should cover any consequential damages as the result of.

 

[Kermit]

@Crazy Dave Condon reminded me I have not replied to his comment about my insurance claim. It’s been a while but I’ll do my best to tell you my experience with the adjuster.
I have my insurance with BoatUS. It didn’t really become clear that I had an actual claim until after Dave repaired my wiring. BoatUS sent an adjuster who basically did nothing other than take a few pictures and try to blame me for the damage. Then they sent a surveyor who looked over my boat with a fine-tooth comb. All he told me was that he didn’t think lightning caused my damage. Although insurance paid my claim in full, Dave was the only one who actually helped and did his best to help me understand what happened. In the end we’ll never know what fried my batteries and almost burned down my boat.
The adjuster pretty-much confirmed every bad thing I had heard about insurance claims. The surveyor turned in his report but gave me no information other than he saw no signs of lightning damage. Although Dave couldn’t tell what caused the problem he encouraged me to file the claim. In the end it all worked out great for me. I got my boat fixed, got reimbursed for the costs and got to spend some great quality time with Dave and his wife. In the mountains of Virginia no less! I also got to meet @rgranger while changing centerboard lines on Smith Mountain Lake.
Bottom line is trust Dave. He’s here to help.

 

[Kermit]

P.S. Kudos to BoatUS for paying my claim even though no one could determine the cause. And I did everything backwards when it came to filing the claim.

 

[Gypsea Kids]

Dave . Thanks so much for your help and esp your wisdom. Here's another photo. Its a sticker that was on the side of the mast that although a warning, also indicates the mast manufacturer. Quite right, it's a Dwyer.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

@Gypsea Kids

That is answered. Send message to Al at help@sailboat owners.com to get you a quote for a new mast as it will include freight to Canada. You will need it for your claim. Also take photos of mast stabilizing poles both starboard and port to include deck attachments just to make sure not bent as Al suggested that good call.
As for the wire rigging, inspect it close and even one broken wire, it will need to be replaced. I know where to get quotes.

 

[Gypsea Kids]

Again Dave, thanks for your tireless help. Just got off the phone with the adjuster. He will be in contact with an appraiser in my area whom I should hear from in the next day or two. The mast struts and deck mounted strut brackets do need to be replaced. Even by my own (inexperienced) eyes I can tell the standing rigging is a right-off. I do know a rigger in Pickering, Ontario who has done work for me in the past. The Compression post looks good but the plate that screws onto it that the mast hinges onto is slightly bent in one corner as is the mast base.
Again, thank you.