I am in the process of relacing the original lifelines on my 1993 35.5 legend. (You know..one of those winter projects that you do in February in Ohio outside on deck in 25 degree weather that is suppose to make you feel like spring is around the corner). Top ones came off in a breeze but the lower ones are stuck solid in the stanchion holes. I have tried pulling, oiling, and cutting back the wire coating. Nothing works. I am to the point of cutting them off at the stanchion holes and re-drilling the hole. I can't figure out what happen to make them stick this way. From what I have read on this great site, apparently, water gets inside the stanchion...freezes and somehow pushes the plastic insert that is inside the stanchion up against the lifeline. Has anyone had this problem. Is there any other way to do this other than cut and drill. And finally, how can this be prevented.
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freezing stanchions
Had this happen on my h33.5, 1993, probably same stanchions. The stanchions were built with some space where water could get in around the lifelines, but no drainage hole. They seized the lifelines and got pretty bent as well. Don't know if you can salvage them- I replaced them, relatively cheap (but should have been free) through Hunter. The fix is to drill a small hole at the base of the stanchions to allow water to exit (or move to a warmer climate). I now have h410 (2000) which does not have similar stanchions, does have drainage hole. Hunter has learned its lesson (but I guess I didn't, as I bought another Hunter). They are great boats, anyway. S/V Breathless h410, 2000
Had this happen on my h33.5, 1993, probably same stanchions. The stanchions were built with some space where water could get in around the lifelines, but no drainage hole. They seized the lifelines and got pretty bent as well. Don't know if you can salvage them- I replaced them, relatively cheap (but should have been free) through Hunter. The fix is to drill a small hole at the base of the stanchions to allow water to exit (or move to a warmer climate). I now have h410 (2000) which does not have similar stanchions, does have drainage hole. Hunter has learned its lesson (but I guess I didn't, as I bought another Hunter). They are great boats, anyway. S/V Breathless h410, 2000
Another idea is
My rail shop suggested and then performed a retro job on the stanchions. They welded in a solid steel tube to eliminate the plastic grommet. Now water can't get inside. Looks nicer too. Cost; $18 each.
My rail shop suggested and then performed a retro job on the stanchions. They welded in a solid steel tube to eliminate the plastic grommet. Now water can't get inside. Looks nicer too. Cost; $18 each.
I have had the same problem
Rod, I have had the same problem and given the same recommendation several times on this site. Drill weep holes into the side of the stanchion base to drain any accumulation of water. I had to replace 5 stanchions and drilled them all. I haven't had a problem since then (7 years). Unfortunately, your old lifelines are probably history. I had to cut mine and replaced the stanchions with new ones. I sold the old ones in a consignment shop (still with the cut wires in then).
Rod, I have had the same problem and given the same recommendation several times on this site. Drill weep holes into the side of the stanchion base to drain any accumulation of water. I had to replace 5 stanchions and drilled them all. I haven't had a problem since then (7 years). Unfortunately, your old lifelines are probably history. I had to cut mine and replaced the stanchions with new ones. I sold the old ones in a consignment shop (still with the cut wires in then).
Torch it.
Try applying heat to the part(s) in question. Heating the stanchion will make it more malleable, maybe just enough to flex to let you yank the cable out. It will definitely melt the plastic and if you've already cut the wire short it will probably move the length of what's stuck in there enough for you to grab it with vise grips. I like the idea of the plastic inserts; though I will probably go with those clamp-on rings for adding the second row of lifeline cable. I have little kids and where they sit they'd go right out underneath a single row. I'm thinking of drilling and through-bolting the clamp fitting to each stanchion. Anyone have any luck with this? JC 2
Try applying heat to the part(s) in question. Heating the stanchion will make it more malleable, maybe just enough to flex to let you yank the cable out. It will definitely melt the plastic and if you've already cut the wire short it will probably move the length of what's stuck in there enough for you to grab it with vise grips. I like the idea of the plastic inserts; though I will probably go with those clamp-on rings for adding the second row of lifeline cable. I have little kids and where they sit they'd go right out underneath a single row. I'm thinking of drilling and through-bolting the clamp fitting to each stanchion. Anyone have any luck with this? JC 2
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