I have one of the early 216s. (Sail #217) We keep our boat on a lift so the standing rigging is up all year round. Took the boat out yesterday and in a moderate wind, the tang holding the Jib forestay to the mast broke at the first rivet and down came the jib and over the side. Fortunately, the wind was not very strong or we would have lost the whole rig before we were able to get the main down. I called Hunter and as you might expect, they are still in the process of moving from up north and nobody there had any idea as to what I was talking about. They directed me to the mast manufacturer in Connecticut and when I quizzed him as to whether or not there have been any changes to the tang to beef it up, he acted like he didn't know what I was talking about. He told me to send him the old piece and he would send me a new one. There is no way that I will trust that tang if they haven't strengthen it. To check on your boats, the tang from my mast is a piece of stainless about 3/4" wide and only 3/32" or so thick. It broke at the point where the first rivet was drilled through. I am going to attempt to have a sturdier piece made. probably of 1/4" stock. However, I would prefer, if I can find one, a bail that would anchor to both sides of the mast but out here in the boonies, I'm not sure I'll find anything as it would have to conform to the shape of the leading edge of the mast. If any of you newer 216 owners find your tang to be different than I described, please let us know.
Jib went for a swim
- Thread starter Mr.Ernie
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216 forestay
I have a 2003 216. The tang you discribe sounds like what I have. I will try to measure the thickness tomorow. The boat is on the trailer. I have been toying with the idea of modifying the short pigtail above the swivel to alow for adjusting the lenght of the forestay. While you are working on it you might want to consider that. My last boat had tha feature and I liked it. My only fear is that it might give tha A-spiniker or it's sock somthing to hang up on. I will let you know tomorow if the tang is thicker but I do not thinke it is. Good Luck Gary
I have a 2003 216. The tang you discribe sounds like what I have. I will try to measure the thickness tomorow. The boat is on the trailer. I have been toying with the idea of modifying the short pigtail above the swivel to alow for adjusting the lenght of the forestay. While you are working on it you might want to consider that. My last boat had tha feature and I liked it. My only fear is that it might give tha A-spiniker or it's sock somthing to hang up on. I will let you know tomorow if the tang is thicker but I do not thinke it is. Good Luck Gary
Up and Sailing
After removing the piece of the jib tang that was still attached to the mast, I examined it closely and it appears to me that the way it is designed and bent, it is destined to fail sooner or later so I decided not to bother sending it on to the mast manufacturer for replacement. Instead, we removed and cut down a wrap-a-round jib tang off of an old mast from a much larger boat and installed it on the 216. We are back on the water and I feel much safer with the improved tang installed.
After removing the piece of the jib tang that was still attached to the mast, I examined it closely and it appears to me that the way it is designed and bent, it is destined to fail sooner or later so I decided not to bother sending it on to the mast manufacturer for replacement. Instead, we removed and cut down a wrap-a-round jib tang off of an old mast from a much larger boat and installed it on the 216. We are back on the water and I feel much safer with the improved tang installed.
forestay adjustmant
Alan I have notice that the mast does not rest up against it's seat. On the 216 the mast is pinned at the foot and roated up into place. The stays obviously hold it in place but is surroubd on 3 side by the cabin top. The hatch for the cabin fits around it on the back. I have found it is difficult to get the mast foreward enough for the hatch to seat properly. As for the mast rake it actually seem prety good when measured form the hanging halyard but if it were about an 1/2inch farther foreward the hatch would work properly. Gary
Alan I have notice that the mast does not rest up against it's seat. On the 216 the mast is pinned at the foot and roated up into place. The stays obviously hold it in place but is surroubd on 3 side by the cabin top. The hatch for the cabin fits around it on the back. I have found it is difficult to get the mast foreward enough for the hatch to seat properly. As for the mast rake it actually seem prety good when measured form the hanging halyard but if it were about an 1/2inch farther foreward the hatch would work properly. Gary
Mast Position
Gary, I don't know how you've rigged the mast but the factory recommends that it be positioned in the center hole on the mast base. Also, even more important, is that you are using a block between the mast and it's keeper pin when under sail. This holds the mast securely against the front edge of the cabin top. If you are not aware of this, let us know and we'll go into it in more detail.
Gary, I don't know how you've rigged the mast but the factory recommends that it be positioned in the center hole on the mast base. Also, even more important, is that you are using a block between the mast and it's keeper pin when under sail. This holds the mast securely against the front edge of the cabin top. If you are not aware of this, let us know and we'll go into it in more detail.
MAST BLOCK
MR ERNIE IA MA USING THE CENTER HOLE TO PIN THE MAST BUT I DO NOT HAVE A MAST BLOCK. I SAW THE BLOCK ON A 216 AT A RECEWNT BOAT SHOW. I DID NOT THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT SO I HAVE NOT PURSUED GETTING ONE. ARE YOU SAYING THAT THE RUBBER MAST BLOCK PUSHES THE MAST FOREWARD AND IS LEFT IN PLACE. I THOUGHT THE PIN THE RUBBER MAST BLOCK WENT THROUGH WAS ONLY USED BEFORE THE SHROUDS WERE IN PLACE. THANKS GARY
MR ERNIE IA MA USING THE CENTER HOLE TO PIN THE MAST BUT I DO NOT HAVE A MAST BLOCK. I SAW THE BLOCK ON A 216 AT A RECEWNT BOAT SHOW. I DID NOT THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT SO I HAVE NOT PURSUED GETTING ONE. ARE YOU SAYING THAT THE RUBBER MAST BLOCK PUSHES THE MAST FOREWARD AND IS LEFT IN PLACE. I THOUGHT THE PIN THE RUBBER MAST BLOCK WENT THROUGH WAS ONLY USED BEFORE THE SHROUDS WERE IN PLACE. THANKS GARY
More on Mast Block
Gary it is absolutely essential to use it while under sail. Especially true if you are flying a spinnaker. Prior to the move of Hunter Composites to Florida, you could call them and they would send you one. As of now, they are still in a state of moving so they probably don't have anyone there that would be able to get one to you. (Just my guess.) I would call them and see but if they can't ship you one ASAP, I would advise you to make a wedge out of wood that would hold the mast securely between the pin and the front of the cabin top to be used while under sail. That is what I used prior to Hunter's coming up with one of their own.
Gary it is absolutely essential to use it while under sail. Especially true if you are flying a spinnaker. Prior to the move of Hunter Composites to Florida, you could call them and they would send you one. As of now, they are still in a state of moving so they probably don't have anyone there that would be able to get one to you. (Just my guess.) I would call them and see but if they can't ship you one ASAP, I would advise you to make a wedge out of wood that would hold the mast securely between the pin and the front of the cabin top to be used while under sail. That is what I used prior to Hunter's coming up with one of their own.
does anyone have a picture
Does anyone ahve a picture of the mast wedge? That would help us who want to make one. thanks,
Does anyone ahve a picture of the mast wedge? That would help us who want to make one. thanks,
Picture of Mast Wedge
I'll try to run over in the morning and take a picture of not only the Hunter supplied one but one of the wooden one that I made (if it's still around.) I'll take a ruler along to show the approximate size as well. Try to have it posted here by early afternoon.
I'll try to run over in the morning and take a picture of not only the Hunter supplied one but one of the wooden one that I made (if it's still around.) I'll take a ruler along to show the approximate size as well. Try to have it posted here by early afternoon.
Pictures - Mast Wedges & New Jib Tang
Here is a link to see what both the Hunter wedge and my homemade one look like. I've also included a photo of my replacement jib tang discussed earlier in this topic. Any questions; feel free to drop me an email at: Mr.Ernie@TwinHulls.com
Here is a link to see what both the Hunter wedge and my homemade one look like. I've also included a photo of my replacement jib tang discussed earlier in this topic. Any questions; feel free to drop me an email at: Mr.Ernie@TwinHulls.com
Mr.Ernie
Your pic #4 "New Tang" shows a picture of the strap that holds the headstay is riveted to the mast. I sure would suggest that this strap be through bolted instead. Rivets are not a secure attachment. When these rivets fail your rig will come down and there will be no warning. Through bolting is much more secure. Just my 2cents worth.
Your pic #4 "New Tang" shows a picture of the strap that holds the headstay is riveted to the mast. I sure would suggest that this strap be through bolted instead. Rivets are not a secure attachment. When these rivets fail your rig will come down and there will be no warning. Through bolting is much more secure. Just my 2cents worth.
Rivets vrs bolts
This jib tang was removed from an old mast from a 38 footer and it was mounted exactly the same way, with 3/16" stainless rivets. The original tang on the 216 was held with only 4 rivets and on just the front of the mast at that. The rivets were not what failed, it was the 3/32" piece of stainless that fatigued and broke at the point where if angled off of the mast. The new tang is mounted with 6 rivets and all at an angle from the point of strain. Even the spinnaker block is only mounted with 2 rivets and in at least the 2 cases that I heard about where the mast was actually broken while flying the spinnaker, that fitting never broke loose under all that strain.
This jib tang was removed from an old mast from a 38 footer and it was mounted exactly the same way, with 3/16" stainless rivets. The original tang on the 216 was held with only 4 rivets and on just the front of the mast at that. The rivets were not what failed, it was the 3/32" piece of stainless that fatigued and broke at the point where if angled off of the mast. The new tang is mounted with 6 rivets and all at an angle from the point of strain. Even the spinnaker block is only mounted with 2 rivets and in at least the 2 cases that I heard about where the mast was actually broken while flying the spinnaker, that fitting never broke loose under all that strain.
JIB TANG
My tang also broke at the point where if angled off of the mast. One question, which block you use for spinnaker halyard? As per instruction "mount the eye strap for swivel halyard block on the front of the mast 5" above the top of the forestay tang" On the mast there is one block only 2" above the tang - is that block OK, or it is to low. Regards from Croatia
My tang also broke at the point where if angled off of the mast. One question, which block you use for spinnaker halyard? As per instruction "mount the eye strap for swivel halyard block on the front of the mast 5" above the top of the forestay tang" On the mast there is one block only 2" above the tang - is that block OK, or it is to low. Regards from Croatia
Spinnaker Block Location
When I purchased the boat, the spinnaker kit was not yet available so the lower block that you see in the photo was installed for a line to pull up the jib cover. I now use the spinnaker halyard to do that. As far as the Spin block location, I installed mine the 5" above the tang but I seriously doubt that your couple of inches lower would make any difference. If the spinnaker catches or hangs up on the jib forestay while tacking, it's probably worth repositioning it. Otherwise, I personally would not bother to change it.
When I purchased the boat, the spinnaker kit was not yet available so the lower block that you see in the photo was installed for a line to pull up the jib cover. I now use the spinnaker halyard to do that. As far as the Spin block location, I installed mine the 5" above the tang but I seriously doubt that your couple of inches lower would make any difference. If the spinnaker catches or hangs up on the jib forestay while tacking, it's probably worth repositioning it. Otherwise, I personally would not bother to change it.
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