In the fall I decided to renew the liflines on my 13 yo boat. They were showing rust cracks in the vinyl and I no longer trusted them. When I went to remove them, I found that the bottom lifelines were stuck in the stanchions and could not be removed. I have been told that they are probably rusted in the holes. I ended up cutting the lifelines with a hacksaw. Now I need to get the new lifelines back in the stanchions. Is it possible to drill out the wire from the stanchion holes? Can I do this on the boat or must the stanchions be removed. Thanks in advance for any advice on this matter.
Lifeline problems
- Thread starter David2720
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may have a different problem
My 33.5, about the same year as yours, had similar problem, stanchions seized the lifelines. This was because of a design error in the stanchions which allowed water to get in but not escape. When some water froze in the stanchions, it distorted them and seized the lifelines. I replaced the stanchions, unfortunately not at Hunter's expense, and drilled small weep holes near their bottoms. Actually not very expensive. Suspect this could be your problem. Think there were some postings about this at the time.
My 33.5, about the same year as yours, had similar problem, stanchions seized the lifelines. This was because of a design error in the stanchions which allowed water to get in but not escape. When some water froze in the stanchions, it distorted them and seized the lifelines. I replaced the stanchions, unfortunately not at Hunter's expense, and drilled small weep holes near their bottoms. Actually not very expensive. Suspect this could be your problem. Think there were some postings about this at the time.
David Before doing any drilling which will shed rusted slivers of metal around your boat, I would pull the stantions off as a minimum. You can probably get the rust off the stantions with a bead blaster so you can assess whether they are salvagable. I have heard of the clear plastic coated lifeline cable but alas havent seen it for sale. Lastly, before you start you might want to get some idea of how much the "whole enchilada" plate is in case you have to replace more than you planned. Cheers Rick
are the stancheons trustworthy?
something to consider: if you had enough corrosion to seize the lines in the stancheons, do you really want to trust your life to those stancheons? Were it my boat, I'd be giving a loooooooong hard look at the cost of new stancheons.
something to consider: if you had enough corrosion to seize the lines in the stancheons, do you really want to trust your life to those stancheons? Were it my boat, I'd be giving a loooooooong hard look at the cost of new stancheons.
Drill...
...weep holes in the bottom of each stanchion to allow any water that enters a way to exit. Also consider replacing those plastic coated steel lifelines with much stronger and non rusting spectra. Spectra is very durable, highly resistant to chafe, will never rust or have 'fish hooks'.
...weep holes in the bottom of each stanchion to allow any water that enters a way to exit. Also consider replacing those plastic coated steel lifelines with much stronger and non rusting spectra. Spectra is very durable, highly resistant to chafe, will never rust or have 'fish hooks'.
I Bit the Bullett...
...and replaced the stanchions. Then I drilled weep holes at the base in the six stanchions. With the old stanchions, water ingressed during the winter and froze. This pushed the Delron "stiffener" inside the stanchion up and pinched the lower life lines. I had to cut the lifelines to remove them. The stanchions were easy to remove to replace them. Since I drilled the holes, there has benn no problem.
...and replaced the stanchions. Then I drilled weep holes at the base in the six stanchions. With the old stanchions, water ingressed during the winter and froze. This pushed the Delron "stiffener" inside the stanchion up and pinched the lower life lines. I had to cut the lifelines to remove them. The stanchions were easy to remove to replace them. Since I drilled the holes, there has benn no problem.
Same problem
1988 Legend 35, I had to repair a few stanchions that the PO had hit something with. Their bottom plug (with the welded in nut) had bent "out" on one and broken off on another. During my attempt to remove the life lines, I found that a number were seized into the stanchions. As an earlier poster noted, there is a solid material inside some or all of the stanchion (in particular, where the lifelines pass through), and these appear to shift and lock the lifelines in place. Anyway ... I know remove my during the winter to get my winter cover on, so thay all get a chance to drain from the bottom bolt hole. Chris
1988 Legend 35, I had to repair a few stanchions that the PO had hit something with. Their bottom plug (with the welded in nut) had bent "out" on one and broken off on another. During my attempt to remove the life lines, I found that a number were seized into the stanchions. As an earlier poster noted, there is a solid material inside some or all of the stanchion (in particular, where the lifelines pass through), and these appear to shift and lock the lifelines in place. Anyway ... I know remove my during the winter to get my winter cover on, so thay all get a chance to drain from the bottom bolt hole. Chris
just did it
David, I just did this on my 33.5. Went to change the lifelines on the boat and discovered the same problem. The damage is caused by freezing of the internal nylon "sleeves " which pinch the lifelines and distorts the stanchions. I called Hunter and the replacement stanchions were around $150 each - I needed 4! - so I cut the lifelines, brought the stanchions home and drilled them out with successively larger bits - the stanchions were not structurally damaged so this seems to have worked fine. Just got back the lifelines and need to reinstall stanchions (but its 4 degrees out right now..) But all seems well. Careful removing the stanchions with the screws (phillips) that are bedded directly into the deck do not strip these - otherwise no problem.
David, I just did this on my 33.5. Went to change the lifelines on the boat and discovered the same problem. The damage is caused by freezing of the internal nylon "sleeves " which pinch the lifelines and distorts the stanchions. I called Hunter and the replacement stanchions were around $150 each - I needed 4! - so I cut the lifelines, brought the stanchions home and drilled them out with successively larger bits - the stanchions were not structurally damaged so this seems to have worked fine. Just got back the lifelines and need to reinstall stanchions (but its 4 degrees out right now..) But all seems well. Careful removing the stanchions with the screws (phillips) that are bedded directly into the deck do not strip these - otherwise no problem.
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