mast removal

[tropicaldreams]

my apologies if this has been gone over before but i cant find it if it has ,
I'm trying to find out how to take the mast down on a 1979 hunter 27 , I don't see any bolts going through it or anything that look like its holding it on .
Does it set over a plate that goes up in it and the rigging holds it down?

 

[Terry Cox]

Mast Step

Most Hunters that I know of, including ours, the mast rests on a cast aluminum step plate. This plate is through bolted to the coach roof. Inside the cabin the compression post supports the weight of the mast. All of the standing rigging (shrouds, back stay, head stay, etc.) holds the mast vertical while the plate secures the mast base.

Depending upon the mast weight, you will need something to first hold then lift the mast up off of the step plate once the rigging is removed. There will be some wires (anchor light, steaming light, VHF radio, etc.) that will need to be disconnected as you begin to lift the mast off of the boat.

Once off of the boat you need some sort of level platform to lay the mast on to prevent any kind of distortion. When it comes time to reinstall the mast, you will need to follow the same steps.

Your mast is 43' tall. It will probably weigh about 150-200 pounds.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ron20324]

If the mast step is cast aluminum, there is probably a raised area on it that nests inside the mast- sort of like a male plug.

 

[Benny17441]

Yes.