Mast Raising Question

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tgrass462

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Jan 22, 2008
171
Hunter 260 Lake Carlyle, Illinois
On a Hunter 240 / 26 / 260 - has anyone ever tried to route the main sheet line back to the Winch when raising the mast? (i.e. Use the Winch to raise the mast rather than directly pulling the main sheet). Would this be a Great / Good / Bad / Horrible idea? :confused:

Just asking.

Tom Grass
Grasshopper III
 
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Brian M H23

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Oct 3, 2006
1,029
Hunter 29.5 Toms River
I haven't done this, but I do run it through a rope clutch. I've never felt lacking of mechanical advantage, but it is nice to be able to stop and un-snag a shroud.
 
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Brian M H23

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Oct 3, 2006
1,029
Hunter 29.5 Toms River
Also note this
"Raising the mast is made pretty simple using the ginpole and mainsheet. However, the pole is pretty light and can flex during the raising operation. I've stepped the mast maybe 30 times and the shrouds can get hung up if you are not paying attention. That's how I bent the pole. I got in the habit of using the starboard winch to help get it up. I just kept cranking and cranking and could not understand why it was so hard until I noticed the ginpole start to bend. A shroud had gotten hung up. As a result I no longer use the winch - I get better feedback on how it's going from just pulling on the mainsheet." http://h260.com/ginpole/ginpole.html
 
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Futsal Fred

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Aug 3, 2009
19
H 260 Have Trailer Will Travel
I've raised the mast on my 260 probably 30 times as well and I've used the winch every time.

Fortunately I had read Georges' advice (quoted above) before I ever did it and so have avoided problems.

Take it very slow and keep checking the shrouds constantly. If you have a helper or two who can stand on the ground on either side keeping and eye on them all the better.
 
Jim Seamans

Jim Seamans

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Mar 21, 2004
2,175
Hunter 356 Cobb Island, MD
Back when I had my H260, I used the winch all the time to raise the mast. One thing that Crazy Dave taught me was to insert a wooden dowel into the gin pole to add strength. Made it a little heavier but helped it from bending to much.
 
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Anne21009

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Jan 22, 2008
2
Hunter 26 Bath NC
Be sure to use the clutch

tgrass462 said:
On a Hunter 240 / 26 / 260 - has anyone ever tried to route the main sheet line back to the Winch when raising the mast? (i.e. Use the Winch to raise the mast rather than directly pulling the main sheet). Would this be a Great / Good / Bad / Horrible idea? :confused:

Just asking.

Tom Grass
Grasshopper III
Click to expand
I do run the main sheet back to the winch when raising the mast. If you run it through the clutch and lock it down you can take a break from cranking and you don't lose any ground -- much easier.
 
George H260

George H260

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Aug 11, 2006
1,446
Hunter H260 Traverse City
Tom:

Did you read the link on how to bend the mast pole?? Pretty easy to do.

Go to: http://h260.com/ginpole/target3.html

Raising the mast is made pretty simple using the ginpole and mainsheet. However, the pole is pretty light and can flex during the raising operation. I've stepped the mast maybe 30 times and the shrouds can get hung up if you are not paying attention. That's how I bent the pole. I got in the habit of using the starboard winch to help get it up. I just kept cranking and cranking and could not understand why it was so hard until I noticed the ginpole start to bend. A shroud had gotten hung up. As a result I no longer use the winch - I get better feedback on how it's going from just pulling on the mainsheet. Maybe Hunter makes the pole flimsy for just that reason -- it's better to bend the pole than break something else? I had the pole straightened but would like to see it a little stiffer. The pole supplied by Hunter is 8 ft 2 inches. I found that 1/2 inch black plumbers pipe fits inside the pole nicely. The pole is a lot stiffer now but it's also pretty heavy and I have to make sure all shrouds are free, or I'm sure to break something pretty expensive. If you could find a long enough 1/2 inch wood dowel it would probably be a lot lighter and still pretty strong.

George H260 http://h260.com/
 
George H260

George H260

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Aug 11, 2006
1,446
Hunter H260 Traverse City
Also related is Tom's experience with the pole cable wearing through after a while. I just had a few strands left when I noticed it during the mast raise. I quickly stopped and ran to the hardware store for new cable and clamps.

Forwarned is forarmed

More at: http://h260.com/ginpole/target2.html
 
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Bob15530

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Jun 4, 2004
25
Hunter 260 Cincinnati, OH
Another good idea is to take a bungie and tie the shrouds tightly to the lifeline. This will ensure they are vertical and wont bend the fitting at the u bolt attachment.
 
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