Hunter 28.5 Compression Post

[Against the Wind]

I'm helping a friend with a 1985 Hunter 28.5. The previous owner said to be careful and watch for movement of the compression post under the mast. This appears to be an aluminum post with mounting plates on the top and bottom. About four inches from the top there seems to be a seam where the post can be separated. I assume this is to allow removal of the post and also the folding table which slides down the post. Our question is what constrains the top part of the post from moving around on the bottom part of the post at this seam. I would assume that there is some kind of inner sleeve or shaft in the top post that slides into the bottom post. However we can't confirm this without removing the post. Any information of this (especially pictures or drawings of the post) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Steve Dion]

I think if you search the archives there was some photos from a H34 that had the compression post replaced. The "original" post were just pine covered with teak and attached to the bulkhead that seperated the head from the salon area.

If there is alum. in there, this was probably a retrofit.

 

[Against the Wind]

I'm pretty sure that the existing aluminum compression post is original. It's the same type of post that is shown for all the 28.5s that I've seen. I've tried to attach a picture of what it looks like.

 

[Grizz]

yessireee...

...that appears original, except for the 'seam', which has me at a loss. Mine is intact, top-to-bottom, so a 'seam' would appear to be something added after the fact for some unknown reason.

PO's provide many reason to scratch your head wondering "wtf?", but the same reaction can occur on a boat straight from the factory, where there is no 'PO' (or so I'm told).

Good luck sorting this one out. Take care.

 

[Steve Dion]

OH ya!! Now I remember (thanks to the photos). Check out the owners reviews and see if there are any issues.

 

[s sauer]

No 'seams' on the support post in my 1986 28.5 which I've owned since new. The table is built around the post and does not 'slide', but your photo also looks more like a later Hunter 28 as the 28.5 has teak bulkheads and port and starboard cabinetry with open teak finished shelves and a couple smoked plexiglas fronts. Check out www.huntertwentyeightfive.com Photo Gallery of several of the boats ---- no seams in the support posts.

 

[Warren Milberg]

What you have seems to an invention of the PO as my 1986 28.5 also does not have any "seams" at either end nor does the salon table slide.