I just bought a '95 Hunter 26, and put up the mast. The previous owner had very helpfully shown me how to take it down and put it on the trailer, and I walked through the book to see how to reverse the process. My question is how much space should there be between the bottom of the forward part of the mast and the step? As I was raising it, I had it nearly all the way up, and could nearly attach the roller furling, and gave the main sheet tackle (attached to the anchor locker eye, per the instructions) one last tug, and there was a 'bang' and the mast then seemed to settle into place and we could finally attach the roller furling. I went back to the mast to check and see if all was fine, and found three broken plastic mainsail slugs within the track at the bottom rear of the mast; the bottom-most one was slightly wedged into the bottom of the back of the mast, and I found a bit of white plastic on the top of the cabin (I called the former owner, who advised that the inside part of several slugs had broken off this spring inside the mast, so he wasn't surprised that they'd worked their way to the bottom while being jangled around for 200 miles on the highway and then raised). The bottom of the front of the mast, however, seemed flush with the step. Concerned that I'd broken something, I took the mast down about half-way, and found that there was nothing stuck under the base of the mast -- and the broken slug pieces came free and I could push them up the slot in the base of the mast a bit. I then reversed the process and pulled the mast the rest of the way up, and attached the roller furling. The concern I now have is that the bottom of the front of the mast is about the width of two quarters from being flush with the top of the step -- when I pulled it all the way up this time, there was no corresponding 'boom,' and it was easy to attach the roller furling. Somewhat concerned that it wasn't flush, I took it half-way down again, found nothing impeding its progress at the bottom, and brought it all the way up again. Still not quite flush. The boat was then put on a gantry and launched at my marina. I figured the mast might settle in to the base, flush, somewhere in that process, but it didn't. My question after this all-too-long essay is does it make any difference, and if so how much? The shrouds are taut and the roller furling is attached just fine, so I should be safe, right? Taking the mast down yet again when it isn't clear it'll make any difference seems like a pain if the benefit isn't clear, but I don't have the experience that all you have, so I look forward to your advice. Crazy Dave, are you out there? Thanks! Richard, in a yet-to-be-named Hunter 26 that I'm looking forward to sailing!
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Mark Kissel
Stuck shrouds?
Richard, The noise you heard may have been caused by a shroud T-ball fitting "adjusting" itself in the opening. If the T-ball fittings are not exiting properly, they can hang and then suddenly align with a noise like you describe. Noises like this tend to scare the bejeezus out of you! Just check the lower shrouds at the exit point on the mast while raising. I wouldn't be too concerned about the space under the mast foot. The step is really just a pivot point for the spar. Mark Kissel Kittiwake/98H240
Richard, The noise you heard may have been caused by a shroud T-ball fitting "adjusting" itself in the opening. If the T-ball fittings are not exiting properly, they can hang and then suddenly align with a noise like you describe. Noises like this tend to scare the bejeezus out of you! Just check the lower shrouds at the exit point on the mast while raising. I wouldn't be too concerned about the space under the mast foot. The step is really just a pivot point for the spar. Mark Kissel Kittiwake/98H240
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Bob Schmit
check t-fitting at bottom of shroud turnbuckles
Most times I hear the boom I haven't led the shrouds correctly(tape shrouds to lifeline to maintain the upward correct position) and when they"selfcorrect" it can mean I have bent the bottom of the shroud fitting that attaches to the u-bolt on rubrail. Then I buy another t-fitting and back in business.
Most times I hear the boom I haven't led the shrouds correctly(tape shrouds to lifeline to maintain the upward correct position) and when they"selfcorrect" it can mean I have bent the bottom of the shroud fitting that attaches to the u-bolt on rubrail. Then I buy another t-fitting and back in business.
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Dave Condon
Crazzzzzzzzzy
Ok I am being funny but what the heck. I am so ugly, fudly was not invented. There are two areas to check when raising the mast. First before going up with the mast, check the lower shrouds where they attach tot the mast under the spreader bars. You have a Z spar mast with T studs. If the stud is inside the mast, pull out to allow th3em to hang freely on the side of the mast. When raising the mast, stop about 80% up and check the turnbuckles where they attach to the boat so that they are not binding. One of these areas caused your problem. Happy sailing. One day I will tell you about the buzzle but going up in a bosons chair on a Hunter 18.5 mast. That is why they call me crazy. Crazy Dave
Ok I am being funny but what the heck. I am so ugly, fudly was not invented. There are two areas to check when raising the mast. First before going up with the mast, check the lower shrouds where they attach tot the mast under the spreader bars. You have a Z spar mast with T studs. If the stud is inside the mast, pull out to allow th3em to hang freely on the side of the mast. When raising the mast, stop about 80% up and check the turnbuckles where they attach to the boat so that they are not binding. One of these areas caused your problem. Happy sailing. One day I will tell you about the buzzle but going up in a bosons chair on a Hunter 18.5 mast. That is why they call me crazy. Crazy Dave
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Richard
Crazzzzzy (2)
Thanks to the three of you for your responses -- they're helpful, and I'm going to go check the turnbuckles. The first response advised that the space below the mast issue is 'not-to-worry,' but the others didn't address it, focusing only on the noise and shrouds -- do you concur that the space isn't a problem?? Thanks!
Thanks to the three of you for your responses -- they're helpful, and I'm going to go check the turnbuckles. The first response advised that the space below the mast issue is 'not-to-worry,' but the others didn't address it, focusing only on the noise and shrouds -- do you concur that the space isn't a problem?? Thanks!
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MIke B
space
I am looking forward to the reply from DAve it sounds like the turnbuckles were misaligned, or turned, but in answer to your question , I am not sure about the space but if it were mine I would not want the sapce there and it sounds tome as if you shrouds are too tight, and so not letting mast step sit as I like mine to, this was a problem for us on our 23and finally got it right , so good luck why dont u try loosening shrouds,and back stay / tightening opps , I have a basic forestay no cdi, so dont know if u can tighten it, but thats what I would do, If you dont get a satisfactory answer here call hunter, good luck MIke
I am looking forward to the reply from DAve it sounds like the turnbuckles were misaligned, or turned, but in answer to your question , I am not sure about the space but if it were mine I would not want the sapce there and it sounds tome as if you shrouds are too tight, and so not letting mast step sit as I like mine to, this was a problem for us on our 23and finally got it right , so good luck why dont u try loosening shrouds,and back stay / tightening opps , I have a basic forestay no cdi, so dont know if u can tighten it, but thats what I would do, If you dont get a satisfactory answer here call hunter, good luck MIke
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Mike Pajewski
There should not be much room at all
Rich, On my 96 vintag 26, if the mast is properly centered in the step, side to side and the shrouds are not hung up, there will be no gap at the front of the mast step. Usually, when I get the gap, something is not quite lined up perfect. 99% of the time, it is the aft shrouds slipping down and binding on the u- bolts. This causes the shrouds to tighten before the mast is fully raised. It is possible to bend the T-fitting on the turnbuckles if you force it. Most likely, the noise you heard was a bound up shroud popping loose. The other 1% problem I have seen is the mast step not being centered on the pivot. There is a raised pad on the deck portion of the mast step, and it will not line up under the mast if the mast is to far to one side. This can be only 1/4=1/8" off. Some guys have snapped the mast step casting, so I would recommend taking your time and not forcing anything. It is usually a good bet if you have to use excessive force, something isn't right. Good Luck, Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
Rich, On my 96 vintag 26, if the mast is properly centered in the step, side to side and the shrouds are not hung up, there will be no gap at the front of the mast step. Usually, when I get the gap, something is not quite lined up perfect. 99% of the time, it is the aft shrouds slipping down and binding on the u- bolts. This causes the shrouds to tighten before the mast is fully raised. It is possible to bend the T-fitting on the turnbuckles if you force it. Most likely, the noise you heard was a bound up shroud popping loose. The other 1% problem I have seen is the mast step not being centered on the pivot. There is a raised pad on the deck portion of the mast step, and it will not line up under the mast if the mast is to far to one side. This can be only 1/4=1/8" off. Some guys have snapped the mast step casting, so I would recommend taking your time and not forcing anything. It is usually a good bet if you have to use excessive force, something isn't right. Good Luck, Mike Pajewski H26 "Loon"
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Harvey Small
Check terminal fittings!
Now that you've popped your mast up & down a couple of times, just make sure that the final fitting between the turnbuckle and U-bolt hasn't warped. If there is distortion, the connection of the stay to the hull can fail -- usually under stress! Believe me, a dismasting can really screw up your sailing season. Harvey Small s/v Waiting for the Sun
Now that you've popped your mast up & down a couple of times, just make sure that the final fitting between the turnbuckle and U-bolt hasn't warped. If there is distortion, the connection of the stay to the hull can fail -- usually under stress! Believe me, a dismasting can really screw up your sailing season. Harvey Small s/v Waiting for the Sun
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Doug Winter
my 2 cents
All I can say is my h26 has the same space your asking about. This is my forth season on the water with no problems. So it must be that way by design.
All I can say is my h26 has the same space your asking about. This is my forth season on the water with no problems. So it must be that way by design.
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