hunter 34 mast step base

[Bob Cunningham]

I have a early 1983 hunter 34 with the large black mast step base. The mast receiver is an elevated (approx. 8-10 inches) black metal post welded to the black metal base. It also contains two set of sheaves for the halyards. This base is bolted to the deck with 6 or 8 ( can't remember) stainless steel bolts. My questions are these:has anyone removed these bolts in order to lift the plate to inspect the deck and the (alleged) PVC tube containing the mast wires. I say alleged because on my boat the wires appear to be snaked through a small hole in the black mast step base, no PVC tube extends through the mast base into the mast receiver. If I lift the mast step plate will I see this PVC tube underneath the plate, or is my boat different than others I have been reading about.P.S. My rationale for all this is to inspect the compression post, etc. for damage.thanks Bob

 

[Ron Dague]

Compression Post Inspection

Maybe other people will tell you I'm wrong, but I also have the large black mast plate on my H34. In order to inspect the compression post and the crossmember, I removed the teak covering it in the cabin. By removing the teak plugs, you can take out the screws, and pull the teak sides off. That should allow you to see the 2x4's that make up the compression post. You will also be able to view a couple of inches of the crossmember at the top and bottom, where they come in contact with the compression post.I guess to inspect the entire crossmember, you'd have to cut the fiberglass the entire width of the cabin. I didn't do that. My h34 showed no water damage or compression problems when inspected this way, so I've left it alone. I acknowledge that many of this age and size hunters do have the problem. My informal survey of postings suggest that the problem was signifcantly less common on the boats with that large mast base plate, such as you describe, and that I also have.I wouldn't remove the plate from the topside, unless I saw problems from inside the cabin, after removing the teak, that you can't get to.Let us know what you find!

 

[Barry]

My Tube Extends a Half Inch Above the base

Bob, My 1984 h34 (hull#56) has the same black mast base. The wiring tube extends about a half inch above the base. I was able to seal around the tube buy removing the sheaves - without removing the mast. The inside of the tube was open with no sealing between the wires and the tube. I don't think I'd remove the mast base because I doubt you'll be able to see anything. Consider adding a short tube there if there is not one presentIf the rig is down I'd remove the teak cover from the post and inspect the wood underneath especially near the top.Barry

 

[Ron Dague]

Teak Cover on Compression Post

You should be able to remove the teak from the compression post without removing the rig. The teak is suppossed to be decorative, not load carrying. If you find that the cabin top has depressed and is pinching the teak, then you already know the answer: The post is rotten, split or otherwise bad!So, you can inspect without even taking the boat out of water. Of course, if there's damage, it's coming out, the rig's coming down, and you begin repairs!