Has anyone ever removed the mast step.Are the bolts that hold it down, machine screws or self tapping.I think I may have a leak where the wires go through the deck on my 82 H33
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33 mast step bolts
The mast step bolts bolt the mast step deck section and support column together. These are the bolts you see terminating just below the mast support column in the cabin.
The mast step bolts bolt the mast step deck section and support column together. These are the bolts you see terminating just below the mast support column in the cabin.
changes even in same model
The difference in fasteners given by Dale Baker's post and my earlier shows that general answers are sometimes not possible even for a single model which was manufactured over a considerable time period. In my 79, the through bolts clamp mast step deck section and support column together. The nuts below the support column top would be the tip off. Baker's configuration could probably be identified by bolt heads showing rather than the nuts.
The difference in fasteners given by Dale Baker's post and my earlier shows that general answers are sometimes not possible even for a single model which was manufactured over a considerable time period. In my 79, the through bolts clamp mast step deck section and support column together. The nuts below the support column top would be the tip off. Baker's configuration could probably be identified by bolt heads showing rather than the nuts.
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Sam Lust
ID just became simple
Based on what I've seen here there were two different mast steps used. One is where the mast steps on a low fitting almost directly on the deck. That one appears to bolt directly to the compression post head through the aluminum plate. Halyards in this type cleat directly to the mast. The other type uses a good sized aluminum welded up piece which contains sheaves angled out towards the pads where turning blocks should be mounted, thereby providing a lead for the halyards to the cockpit. I'm guessing this may have been an extra cost option. That mast step is large and it's bolts go into the outer edges of the hidden aluminum plate. The compression post bolts to the aluminum plate from underneath.
Based on what I've seen here there were two different mast steps used. One is where the mast steps on a low fitting almost directly on the deck. That one appears to bolt directly to the compression post head through the aluminum plate. Halyards in this type cleat directly to the mast. The other type uses a good sized aluminum welded up piece which contains sheaves angled out towards the pads where turning blocks should be mounted, thereby providing a lead for the halyards to the cockpit. I'm guessing this may have been an extra cost option. That mast step is large and it's bolts go into the outer edges of the hidden aluminum plate. The compression post bolts to the aluminum plate from underneath.
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blake
water infiltration
I have a hunter 25 1981.I realize the mast steps are entirely different but I suspect the problem I had/you have are not.I noticed last fall after haulout that my mast step was slightly compressing the deck on the fore part(approx 1/8")I just tackled the problem about two weeks ago.Not knowing what to expect I was dreading this job but knew I had to remedy the problem.Firstly I removed both the mast step and the wires.Next using a dentel pick I felt around the holes bring out fragments of wet balsa wood.Next I began drilling test holes with a 1/4" drill further away from the step location till I determined I was in sound dry core material.I ended up removing the top layer of deck skin about 20"x20".Next I removed all the wet balsa core and discovered the way the core was made and that the strength of the deck was in largely the inner shell(what you see inside the cabin)This was a pleasant surprise and after locating some balsa core at a local shipyard I prepped the area with acetone and laid in my core material in a resin and relaminated the deck section I had previously pried away.Repair came out perfect and except for some smooth spots in the non skid is unnoticeable.I understand this is a common prob on older hunters but is definitely a do it yourselfer project.A tip to keep the same prob from reoccuring is to oversize any holes that penetrate the deck and filling them with epoxy resin and redrilling the fastener holes,this prevents any future leaks from soaking the balsa core and the water will show up in the cabin rather than unseen in the core.
I have a hunter 25 1981.I realize the mast steps are entirely different but I suspect the problem I had/you have are not.I noticed last fall after haulout that my mast step was slightly compressing the deck on the fore part(approx 1/8")I just tackled the problem about two weeks ago.Not knowing what to expect I was dreading this job but knew I had to remedy the problem.Firstly I removed both the mast step and the wires.Next using a dentel pick I felt around the holes bring out fragments of wet balsa wood.Next I began drilling test holes with a 1/4" drill further away from the step location till I determined I was in sound dry core material.I ended up removing the top layer of deck skin about 20"x20".Next I removed all the wet balsa core and discovered the way the core was made and that the strength of the deck was in largely the inner shell(what you see inside the cabin)This was a pleasant surprise and after locating some balsa core at a local shipyard I prepped the area with acetone and laid in my core material in a resin and relaminated the deck section I had previously pried away.Repair came out perfect and except for some smooth spots in the non skid is unnoticeable.I understand this is a common prob on older hunters but is definitely a do it yourselfer project.A tip to keep the same prob from reoccuring is to oversize any holes that penetrate the deck and filling them with epoxy resin and redrilling the fastener holes,this prevents any future leaks from soaking the balsa core and the water will show up in the cabin rather than unseen in the core.
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steve rainey
mast step terry arnold's
I have a 78 Hunter 30 with the same mast step as terry arnold's. What I did was weld the hole in the middle shut as its a major souce for collecting water and which will sooner or later get to the balsa core. I cut a 1" hole up forward inside the mast step and welded an 8" pipe upright for a conduit for wiring. Not way for water to go anywheres except out the back drain slit. All wiring is now down thru the mast and into the cabin. Nothing going thru the deck. Plus the area around the step was cut out down to the cabin liner and the whole area filled with glass. No wood to cause future problems under the step..
I have a 78 Hunter 30 with the same mast step as terry arnold's. What I did was weld the hole in the middle shut as its a major souce for collecting water and which will sooner or later get to the balsa core. I cut a 1" hole up forward inside the mast step and welded an 8" pipe upright for a conduit for wiring. Not way for water to go anywheres except out the back drain slit. All wiring is now down thru the mast and into the cabin. Nothing going thru the deck. Plus the area around the step was cut out down to the cabin liner and the whole area filled with glass. No wood to cause future problems under the step..
S
steve rainey
mast step terry arnold's
I have a 78 Hunter 30 with the same mast step as terry arnold's. What I did was weld the hole in the middle shut as its a major souce for collecting water and which will sooner or later get to the balsa core. I cut a 1" hole up forward inside the mast step and welded an 8" pipe upright for a conduit for wiring. Not way for water to go anywheres except out the back drain slit. All wiring is now down thru the mast and into the cabin. Nothing going thru the deck. Plus the area around the step was cut out down to the cabin liner and the whole area filled with glass. No wood to cause future problems under the step..
I have a 78 Hunter 30 with the same mast step as terry arnold's. What I did was weld the hole in the middle shut as its a major souce for collecting water and which will sooner or later get to the balsa core. I cut a 1" hole up forward inside the mast step and welded an 8" pipe upright for a conduit for wiring. Not way for water to go anywheres except out the back drain slit. All wiring is now down thru the mast and into the cabin. Nothing going thru the deck. Plus the area around the step was cut out down to the cabin liner and the whole area filled with glass. No wood to cause future problems under the step..
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