I just purchased a 34 Hunter and have recently taken it out of the water for some bottom work. I decided good or bad that as long as its out I should take the mast down and check out the base and deck for compression problems. They yard has put the mast on supports for the winter. My question is should I leave the uppers and lowers attached or should I detach them ?? Also any tips on checking for compression problems without taking the post out?? Thanks
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
R
Rich Stidger
My experience
As a relatively new Hunter owner, I can't speak to Hunters. However, my previous boat I alternated winter storage between wet and dry every other year. Both alternatives have pros and cons. Wet: Pro- (1) MUCH less work in spring and fall since no mast unstep/step is done. If you hire your yard to do all of the prep and readjusting/runnning rigging work, maybe you don't care. (2) Less handling of the mast and all the rigging. I have had damage occur just do to the handling. (3) Much less expensive. Every turn of the hand by the yard translates directly into $$$. Dry: Pro- (1) Ease of inspection of all rigging and fittings, inch by inch. I feel this is necessary for peace of mind at least every 3-4 years. My preference is every other year. More often than not, I have found broken strands in stays that I would not have found otherwise. However, I believe that some of that damage was caused by the unstep/storage handling. (2) No worry of the safety of the boat- chafing of lines, rubbing on docks, sinking, etc. (3) Ease of bottom painting without the time limit pressure of a short haul. Other maintanence too, while it's out. Generally, the pros of one method are the cons of the other. Regarding leaving the spreaders attached- I never did on my old Morgan. Since my yard handles and stores the mast inside, I have no idea how they store it. I could ask, but I haven't. However, I do not expect any damage from any method that they use. Can't help on compression problems, other than to check for fiberglass cracking around the mast. Just my 2 cents worth, possibly only really worth a penny.
As a relatively new Hunter owner, I can't speak to Hunters. However, my previous boat I alternated winter storage between wet and dry every other year. Both alternatives have pros and cons. Wet: Pro- (1) MUCH less work in spring and fall since no mast unstep/step is done. If you hire your yard to do all of the prep and readjusting/runnning rigging work, maybe you don't care. (2) Less handling of the mast and all the rigging. I have had damage occur just do to the handling. (3) Much less expensive. Every turn of the hand by the yard translates directly into $$$. Dry: Pro- (1) Ease of inspection of all rigging and fittings, inch by inch. I feel this is necessary for peace of mind at least every 3-4 years. My preference is every other year. More often than not, I have found broken strands in stays that I would not have found otherwise. However, I believe that some of that damage was caused by the unstep/storage handling. (2) No worry of the safety of the boat- chafing of lines, rubbing on docks, sinking, etc. (3) Ease of bottom painting without the time limit pressure of a short haul. Other maintanence too, while it's out. Generally, the pros of one method are the cons of the other. Regarding leaving the spreaders attached- I never did on my old Morgan. Since my yard handles and stores the mast inside, I have no idea how they store it. I could ask, but I haven't. However, I do not expect any damage from any method that they use. Can't help on compression problems, other than to check for fiberglass cracking around the mast. Just my 2 cents worth, possibly only really worth a penny.
S
Stephen Ostrander
stays
I wouldn't loosen the stays. The mast is designed to have pre-bend in it and if you unstay it you'l just have to re-tune it that much more in the spring. If it is handled and stored properly you should have no problems.
I wouldn't loosen the stays. The mast is designed to have pre-bend in it and if you unstay it you'l just have to re-tune it that much more in the spring. If it is handled and stored properly you should have no problems.
E
Eric Linklater
checking for compression problems
If you check the teak post in the cabin and find no evidence of water marks or discoloration that would be a good sign. To be sure I would drill a hole in the top deck under where the mast step is and then dig around with a screwdriver or something and see if the wood contained therein is punky. If it is then you have some work ahead of you. If not then seal the hole with an epoxy or even fiberglass filler and touch up the gelcoat if desired. Then be sure to recaulk around the wires and the conduit with something like 5200 series silicone. Although you really won't be sure that the post is okay or not I would think that the screwdriver test would be a good indicator of problems if you absolutely don't want to remove the post or even loosen the bulkhead behind the post and peer around the edge. Eric Linklater "Worlds Away"
If you check the teak post in the cabin and find no evidence of water marks or discoloration that would be a good sign. To be sure I would drill a hole in the top deck under where the mast step is and then dig around with a screwdriver or something and see if the wood contained therein is punky. If it is then you have some work ahead of you. If not then seal the hole with an epoxy or even fiberglass filler and touch up the gelcoat if desired. Then be sure to recaulk around the wires and the conduit with something like 5200 series silicone. Although you really won't be sure that the post is okay or not I would think that the screwdriver test would be a good indicator of problems if you absolutely don't want to remove the post or even loosen the bulkhead behind the post and peer around the edge. Eric Linklater "Worlds Away"
G
Gene
Mast up and down
Last year I took my Hunter 34 mast down and stored it horizontal on top of the boat using wood horses and then putting a tarp over it. This year I am experimenting with leaving the mast up and built a wood frame work then put tarps on going around the mast and shrouds etc. I would be very concerned with dismantling the mast as retuning it would be a difficult chore.
Last year I took my Hunter 34 mast down and stored it horizontal on top of the boat using wood horses and then putting a tarp over it. This year I am experimenting with leaving the mast up and built a wood frame work then put tarps on going around the mast and shrouds etc. I would be very concerned with dismantling the mast as retuning it would be a difficult chore.
D
David
Check compression post
Mike, I recently replaced the compression post on my 1988 H33.5 because it had deteriorated from water leaking through the mast/deck wiring race. In my case the teak covering the post had began to stain; however, I feel certain that the problem had been ongoing for some time before the teak started to discolor. After I removed the teak the entire post had completely deteriorated to "mush". Thankfully, the deck did not compress and I only had to replace the compression post and re-seal the wiring race. Because of the propensity for these boats to develop compression post problems and the age of your boat, I would definitely remove the teak covering (carefully) to inspect the post while you have the mast down. Good Luck!
Mike, I recently replaced the compression post on my 1988 H33.5 because it had deteriorated from water leaking through the mast/deck wiring race. In my case the teak covering the post had began to stain; however, I feel certain that the problem had been ongoing for some time before the teak started to discolor. After I removed the teak the entire post had completely deteriorated to "mush". Thankfully, the deck did not compress and I only had to replace the compression post and re-seal the wiring race. Because of the propensity for these boats to develop compression post problems and the age of your boat, I would definitely remove the teak covering (carefully) to inspect the post while you have the mast down. Good Luck!
- Status
- Not open for further replies.