Mast raising debacle on 23.5

[SFKjeld]

My first mast raising on my new to me 23.5. I had done it a few times with the sellers, with their help. But this time it was solo except a friend helping me. All was going well until we began the actual raising. I mistakenly let my friend man the block and tackle, while I managed the furler. He is a strong guy, and I noticed he was straining the first few feet. Then I saw him really pull hard with his entire body weight. The surge pulled the mast over to the right and badly bent the mast raising pole. Post mortem, it looks like a shroud was on the wrong side of the mast crutch and pulled the mast over.

I think the mast is ok, put need a new mast raising pole. Can someone point me in the right direction? I didn't see one on the hunter.com site, but I am probably not using the correct name for the pole.

 

[SerendipIAD]

If you can measure the length and diameter of your gin pole I can compare it to that of my 240. The 23.5 and 240 share much of the same hardware...if you look for parts for the 240 on this site, you will find the mast raising pole listed under the spars category. I can do my best to give you my dimensions and see if the parts are compatible.

I often have to search 260 parts to find identical items not posted under the 240 inventory for some reason...I'll bet it holds true for 23.5s as well.

Cheers

 

[SerendipIAD]

...Or depending on the degree of the bend, most welding shops should be able to heat and straighten the gin pole. A local welder may be cheaper than a new gin pole...the poles are hollow and can be reinforced with extra steel tubing inside.

 

[SFKjeld]

Pretty good whoop in the pole. Hard to imagine it being straightened. Ok.... Gin pole, I'll look for one. Thanks

 

[Capt jgw]

If the end fittings can be removed, you can get a piece of aluminum tubing from a local metal dealer for probably less than $20. Just put the old fittings on the new tube and your good. Need to measure the length, outside diameter and approximate wall thickness. A bit smaller OD or thicker wall would be OK

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Under boat information look for the 23.5 and you will see downloads one for the owners manual but when referencing that manual, make sure it relates to the 23.5 as it is for three boats.

Since introducing the 23.5 for Hunter as I consider it my child, I cannot recall if that mast raise pole was aluminum or stainless steel. You need to advise. contact the formum store and ask them if that is available (PHIL HERRING PLEASE ADVISE IF YOU SELL THAT)
If the store does not make one, you can buy the stock pole but you will have to stay with the same thickness.

On one end is a double looped wire with thimbles. if you do not have the materials take it to a yard to do that for you. Measure the one you have and duplicate the length.
the other end will have to be curved so when it inserts, it will rest properly on the inside of the mast due to the sail track that runs on the backside of the mast. It is pretty simple to make but again only use the same diameter tubing.

As for raising, not sure of the deck hardware but if you can post a photo maybe I can add another comment or two. When raising, you must be aware of when any force has to be exerted when raising the mast, stop and look to make sure wires and lines are not binding. In addition when you get the mast up about 70-75% you need to look at the shrouds and turnbuckles so they are not bending or catching on the chain plates. I designed this system

 

[SFKjeld]

I assume by the weight of the pole it is aluminum. Since the pole is prob bent 30-40deg, seems straightening would be tough, tho I have no idea what is possible. I have a question into the store about having a new one made up. In going through the old postings on this site, they used it to do just a few years ago at reasonable cost. The prob is that it took weeks that I do not want to wait.

As Dave points out, there is an excellent schematic in the manual. I guess I'll print it out and take the pole to a welding shop to see what can be done. Anyone on the forum know of such a shop in the San Francisco Bay Area? LA?

 

[SFKjeld]

Anyone know if the gin pole from a 240 is the same as a 23.5? The 23.5 is 6'4" long according to the manual's schematic.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The pole of the 240 is different. One fellow suggest heating a pole and bending it back under heart. Regardless of the material either aluminum or stainless steel, FORGET HEATING AS YOU HAVE ESSENTIALLY DESTROYED THE SAFETY OR INTEGRITY OF THAT POLE. EVERYONE WHO HAD TRIED THAT LEARNED THE HARD WAY AND WENT ON TO GET A NEW POLE. I am not sure sleeving would be safe or a larger pole over the other if the old pole just barely gets into the larger pole. Still to be on the safe side go with a new pole

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

SKFJELD, Send me your phone number to my email at davecondon@mindspring.com

I will call you but advise you are on the west coast. I am in Virginia.

Lets talk about the pole as it is simple.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Fellow is buying the mast raise pole from the forum store instead of building one. I advise to contact me again when the pole comes in so I can go thru the procedure and told him to contact me anytime for help.

 

[SFKjeld]

Looks like the cost will be just under $200 including shipping. I am pretty confident that I understand what went wrong when we bent the pole. The bottom line is to raise the mast slowly, smoothly, and never force it. The latter is what bent the pole. Another expensive lesson learned.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Over the years I too made mistakes and paid dearly. I pass on information so that will not happen to you.

On the pole itself, never put your hand on it during the raising and lowering to pull up or down or it will bend and down goes the mast. Yes I learned the hard way on that one.

SFKjeld, you have my phone number and you can call me anytime at the house for any information. If you need help when you do raise the mast, call me ahead of time so we can speak on cell phone during that process.

 

[SFKjeld]

Hey Dave, that is such a great offer. I will def call you. If the pole comes in as expected, prob a week from Saturday!

 

[SFKjeld]

The right way to paint

Prepping was a lot of work. Didn't realize the boat yard had power. We did the sanding prep by hand. Took hours, should have used a sander. Paint was straight forward. Managed two coats.

 

[SFKjeld]

Re: The right way to paint

Sorry, attached this to the wrong thread. Meant to be on the bottom painting discussion.

 

[Capt jgw]

On my trailer boats I used a wishbone gin pole. Two poles forming an inverted V, hinged at the chainplates and meeting at the bow. Head stay or halyard connected to the apex of the V, and mainsheet tackle used to pull the wishbone down, raising the mast. Very stable and safe, the triangle can't flop over sideways and it holds the mast centered. I've done it single handed, but a helper is handy to make sure nothing gets fouled on the way up. Lowering is really easy.
My boats all had double lower shrouds, and I hinged the poles to the forward lower chainplates. I rigged them so the wishbone could either be left in place laying on the deck or removed and left on the trailer.