Hunter question for Crazy Dave (or anyone that knows answer)

[M and M]

Hi Dave,(i dont know you enough to call you crazy yet!) it appears that you know a lot about hunters so here goes....

I have a 1988 H23 and I am removing the mast base. Of course 3 of the 4 screws came out fine. The forward starboard screw is spinning. Do you know if there is a nut on the bottom side of the screw. I assumed it was a metal plate beneath the fiberglass that was tapped. I don't see any access to nuts from inside the cabin.

Besides trying to figure out how to get the screw out (i've tried prying under the base while spinning the screw and it won't budge) my concern is, how and where is the mast grounding conductor attached (at the mast end)? I'm hoping it's not on the bottom of this screw with a nut.

thanks Dave or anyone.........Mark

 

[carboman]

Re: Hunter question for Crazy Dave (or anyone that knows ans

I have an 87 23' and had to replace some rotted core under neath the mast. In doing that I cut out the layer of fiberglass and gelcoat about an 1/8 inch down and peeled it off for reuse later. What is under there is a piece of aluminum plate that is set into the area and may go back up further under where the main hatch is. I did not take it back that far. It sits direclty above the support pole in the cabin.

I stripped one of the bolts while taking the mast base bracket off and had to redrill the mounting bracket and tap a new 1/4-20 hole in the aluminum plate. I basically moved the hole i stripped an inch or half inch and it worked well. I posted the pics, but can't find the post. I have also changed computers but will try to get you a pic or two and repost them.

 

[carboman]

1111

Hi Dave,(i dont know you enough to call you crazy yet!) it appears that you know a lot about hunters so here goes....

I have a 1988 H23 and I am removing the mast base. Of course 3 of the 4 screws came out fine. The forward starboard screw is spinning. Do you know if there is a nut on the bottom side of the screw. I assumed it was a metal plate beneath the fiberglass that was tapped. I don't see any access to nuts from inside the cabin.

Besides trying to figure out how to get the screw out (i've tried prying under the base while spinning the screw and it won't budge) my concern is, how and where is the mast grounding conductor attached (at the mast end)? I'm hoping it's not on the bottom of this screw with a nut.

thanks Dave or anyone.........Mark

 

[BrianW]

Re: Hunter question for Crazy Dave (or anyone that knows ans

Could keep the same bolt hole locations but move up a size for your bolt, re-drill (enlarge) your base bolt hole, and re-tap the aluminum plate to the new bolt size?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Re: Hunter question for Crazy Dave (or anyone that knows ans

M & M

Carboman and Brian W responded beautifully. There is an aluminum plate embedded in the fiberglass below the mast step. On other boats it could be thru bolted but thesew were the two primary methods of screwwing down the mast step to the deck of the boat.

You could retap for the next size bolt up but make sure. Or you could drill a new hole direct in front or behind the existing hole. What ever you do, you will need to lower the mast and remove the mast step, clean the old caulk off and sealing up the old hole with 5200 liberally if planning to drill a new hole. But before you drill a new hole if that is the route you take, make darn sure that the new bolt patteren does not interfere with the bottom of the mast when resting in the mast step.

Keep the three of us posted on what you are going to do

crazy dave condon

p.s. My wife thinks I am crazy but not really. I was given that name on a movie set when I played the tackler on a tackling dummy who got mad at the set director and kicked in an opening port of my sailboat which was the final straw with that actor. I kept the nickname for marketing purposes. However, I use to make my own personal mountain water for many years and got high from that good tasting peach brandy. Opps, I meant sweet distilled mountain water.

 

[BrianW]

Re: Hunter question for Crazy Dave (or anyone that knows ans

Just another thought.... My H26 has either an access plate or overhead light cutout in the cabin ceiling near the compression post. I'm not near my H26, so I'm working from memory. I've used it to access a halyard turning block axle near the mast from underneath. If I had a choice and had access, I'd through-bolt with an additional stainless steel backing plate and not worry about re-tapping through the aluminum plate. It might be worth it for you to see if this is an option for you. BrianW

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Re: Hunter question for Crazy Dave (or anyone that knows ans

Brian W.

I have made many repairs on the 26 and either way using a larger bolt after retapping or a new one in close proximity will work just fine.