I recently went sailing with a friend of mine that has a 33.5 Hunter with the pre-bent mast. The main goes up rather easily until it hits the bend and then it's a two person job, working in shifts to get it the rest of the way up. According to him he has tried easing off on the vang and travler, lubing the track and just about everything else to ease the problem. He has even written Hunter about it but they have not responded. My buddy is an older guy and is talking about getting rid of his boat because of it. I suggested the possibility of getting an electric winch and he is considering it. Any input or solutions on this would be appreciated. Thanks J.B.
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Paul McVey
portable winch and main sheet
I bought a portable electric winch from West Marine because of rotator cuff surgery. It works great. That 33.5 or 336 or 340 Hunter main is a big sail. I always slack the main sheet 4-6 inches when the sail starts up but that isn't enough. It needs another 4-6 inches slack at the end becasue of the lifting of the boom. Too much slack early produces more movement of the boom than I care for.
I bought a portable electric winch from West Marine because of rotator cuff surgery. It works great. That 33.5 or 336 or 340 Hunter main is a big sail. I always slack the main sheet 4-6 inches when the sail starts up but that isn't enough. It needs another 4-6 inches slack at the end becasue of the lifting of the boom. Too much slack early produces more movement of the boom than I care for.
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Bill O'Donovan
Try this
1. Use Dawn instead of spray. Won't clog track. 2. Install camcleat on mast to rest a bit. 3. Check to see if slugs are oversized, stuck. 4. Take two to tug, it's good training. 5. Make sure vang and trav are fluttery loose. 7. Ask others at the marina for their tips. 8. Don't give up the boat!
1. Use Dawn instead of spray. Won't clog track. 2. Install camcleat on mast to rest a bit. 3. Check to see if slugs are oversized, stuck. 4. Take two to tug, it's good training. 5. Make sure vang and trav are fluttery loose. 7. Ask others at the marina for their tips. 8. Don't give up the boat!
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Paul McGhee
At the mast
Most of us with similar boats raise the main at the mast where we can use our body weight. It sounds like your friend is trying to do it from the cockpit. I don't use any lube and I can jump mine all the way up without grinding. The last 10 feet are hard, but it's just a question of holding on to the halyard using your weight. However, I think the electric winch is a good idea. I'm in favor of anything that eases sail handling on these B&R rigs. Paul sv Escape Artist h336
Most of us with similar boats raise the main at the mast where we can use our body weight. It sounds like your friend is trying to do it from the cockpit. I don't use any lube and I can jump mine all the way up without grinding. The last 10 feet are hard, but it's just a question of holding on to the halyard using your weight. However, I think the electric winch is a good idea. I'm in favor of anything that eases sail handling on these B&R rigs. Paul sv Escape Artist h336
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Dick Carey
Hoisting the Main on a H-33.5
In addition to loosening the mainsheet and boom vang, then tighten up on the topping lift to raise the boom a little higher. I suspect that when you are hoisting the main during the last few feet of the main that you are also 'pulling up' the boom. Use the topping lift to 'pull up the boom' before hoisting. That works for us. I hoist the H-33.5 main almost all the way up by hand then use the hand winch on the coach roof for the last foot or two. (I am also an older guy - 68). Dick Carey S/V Puffin 1990 H-33.5
In addition to loosening the mainsheet and boom vang, then tighten up on the topping lift to raise the boom a little higher. I suspect that when you are hoisting the main during the last few feet of the main that you are also 'pulling up' the boom. Use the topping lift to 'pull up the boom' before hoisting. That works for us. I hoist the H-33.5 main almost all the way up by hand then use the hand winch on the coach roof for the last foot or two. (I am also an older guy - 68). Dick Carey S/V Puffin 1990 H-33.5
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Steve O.
if all else fails...
Attach a block to the sail head and run the halyard through it and then attach to the mast head. This will give you extra purchase but you will have to lengthen the halyard.
Attach a block to the sail head and run the halyard through it and then attach to the mast head. This will give you extra purchase but you will have to lengthen the halyard.
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Paul McGhee
If you add a masthead block...
... then you'll need a new halyard. Your current one will most likely be too short.
... then you'll need a new halyard. Your current one will most likely be too short.
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J.B. Dyer
Thanks
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll pass these along and see if we can't come up with a solution. We've tried hand raising from the deck and everything goes fine until the bend is hit. I'm a 200 pounder and I pulled my feet up off the deck trying to get past the bend. It's a low side winch after that and then it take's both of us in shifts. Everything seems to be in order, sheaves, slugs, vang, traveler, etc. It's a back breaker. I don't seriously think he is really going to sell his boat, that subject usually comes up a few minutes after the main goes up and he catches his breath. He really gets upset when he is out with me and he sees me raise my main by hand in about 2 minutes, but I've got a straight mast that is about 5 feet shorter than his. Thanks again!!
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll pass these along and see if we can't come up with a solution. We've tried hand raising from the deck and everything goes fine until the bend is hit. I'm a 200 pounder and I pulled my feet up off the deck trying to get past the bend. It's a low side winch after that and then it take's both of us in shifts. Everything seems to be in order, sheaves, slugs, vang, traveler, etc. It's a back breaker. I don't seriously think he is really going to sell his boat, that subject usually comes up a few minutes after the main goes up and he catches his breath. He really gets upset when he is out with me and he sees me raise my main by hand in about 2 minutes, but I've got a straight mast that is about 5 feet shorter than his. Thanks again!!
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Andy
Pre Bent
I think there is another problem. If you are putting that much torque to get a main sail up, there must be a problem! Does it hang on the way down too? Could the slides be getting hung on something higher inthe track? Loosen every every every thing-except, you might want to tighten the jib halyard. That will remove a little of the pre bent
I think there is another problem. If you are putting that much torque to get a main sail up, there must be a problem! Does it hang on the way down too? Could the slides be getting hung on something higher inthe track? Loosen every every every thing-except, you might want to tighten the jib halyard. That will remove a little of the pre bent
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Rick Sylvester
Okay, maybe I'm missing something here
but the 33.5 two boats down from us does NOT have a B&R rig. Doesn't have diamond stays, no prebend. All the 33.5's I've seen on Yachtworld are rigged the same way with a traditional highly fractional rig. One of the few models Hunter rigged that way during that stretch. The mast can be bent with a tensioned backstay, which the 33.5 has, but that's not the same thing as prebend. I doubt it's the root of the problem but I had to ask. FWIW, I've got plenty of prebend in the B&R on our Legend 40 and from the cockpit I can easily raise the main to the top in less than 30 seconds. No winch needed. Got cheap ass plastic slugs. And I'm a skinny dude. My guess is that your mast track (and slugs) need a good cleaning. Don't just add lubricant as that's just a temporary fix. It could be that it's dirtier near the top where you perceive any bend as being the problem. Spend some time in the bosun's chair, clean it good, add some lubricant (T-9, McLube, whatever) and I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised. Oh yeah, while you (or he) is up there, check the masthead sheave. It's probably okay but what the heck right? The 33.5 looks like a great boat. Good luck.
but the 33.5 two boats down from us does NOT have a B&R rig. Doesn't have diamond stays, no prebend. All the 33.5's I've seen on Yachtworld are rigged the same way with a traditional highly fractional rig. One of the few models Hunter rigged that way during that stretch. The mast can be bent with a tensioned backstay, which the 33.5 has, but that's not the same thing as prebend. I doubt it's the root of the problem but I had to ask. FWIW, I've got plenty of prebend in the B&R on our Legend 40 and from the cockpit I can easily raise the main to the top in less than 30 seconds. No winch needed. Got cheap ass plastic slugs. And I'm a skinny dude. My guess is that your mast track (and slugs) need a good cleaning. Don't just add lubricant as that's just a temporary fix. It could be that it's dirtier near the top where you perceive any bend as being the problem. Spend some time in the bosun's chair, clean it good, add some lubricant (T-9, McLube, whatever) and I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised. Oh yeah, while you (or he) is up there, check the masthead sheave. It's probably okay but what the heck right? The 33.5 looks like a great boat. Good luck.
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Ken Palmer
What I have noticed on my 33.5
I sold Liberty this year, a 1981 H33. The main on that boat could be pulled up by hand up to the point of having to tension it, then would switch to the winch. I now own a 1990 H33.5. The pre-bend in the mast seems awesome (what adjustable backstay?) compared to the straight mast of the H33. I believe it is also about 5 feet longer (a guess). I am able to pull the main up to about the last 10 feet by hand, then it is time for the winch. It is a lot of cranking to get it up, that is for sure. I am not straining as much as you seem to be, so I would say you need to find the obstruction. Is this the original sail? Has it always been difficult to raise? Are the slugs the right size? Other then that, follow the advice from Rick. Good luck, and the 33.5 is a great boat. Ken Palmer, S/V Watercolors
I sold Liberty this year, a 1981 H33. The main on that boat could be pulled up by hand up to the point of having to tension it, then would switch to the winch. I now own a 1990 H33.5. The pre-bend in the mast seems awesome (what adjustable backstay?) compared to the straight mast of the H33. I believe it is also about 5 feet longer (a guess). I am able to pull the main up to about the last 10 feet by hand, then it is time for the winch. It is a lot of cranking to get it up, that is for sure. I am not straining as much as you seem to be, so I would say you need to find the obstruction. Is this the original sail? Has it always been difficult to raise? Are the slugs the right size? Other then that, follow the advice from Rick. Good luck, and the 33.5 is a great boat. Ken Palmer, S/V Watercolors
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J.B. Dyer
Thanks Again
More good points and I'll pass them along. Somewhere in these responses is probably the answer, or combination of answers. The puzzlement is that the main falls like a stone when dropped, no binding at all. This is a late 90's Hunter, can't remember the exact year but he bought it new and has all original equipment. It's been a problem from day one. I'm making copies of all responses and when the boat owner and I get back together, we'll take a look at them one at a time and see if we can't figure this out.
More good points and I'll pass them along. Somewhere in these responses is probably the answer, or combination of answers. The puzzlement is that the main falls like a stone when dropped, no binding at all. This is a late 90's Hunter, can't remember the exact year but he bought it new and has all original equipment. It's been a problem from day one. I'm making copies of all responses and when the boat owner and I get back together, we'll take a look at them one at a time and see if we can't figure this out.
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