Mast Supports on a H38

[Trevor]

Hi everbody, i have recently purchased a H38 and was wondering about the rather unusual support tubes from the deck, port and starboard to the mast connecting slightly above the goose nek, what are these for ?
Addittional support for the mast ???

 

[seadaddler]

YES

Yes I am sure it is for support of the inmast and never remove them,selden has since changed the mast on inmast and now are not needed on my 2007 H-36.
Nick

 

[Trevor]

Re: YES

My H38 is a 2007/2008 Model so i would have thought it would have had the new mast??

 

[Paul356]

They were struts initially used by Hunter when they brought out the 356 and 38 models with B&R rigging (no backstay). Leave them there, for sure. They did something different on newer models. I have them on my 2003 H356.

 

[Rick D]

Yes; allows for a smaller, lighter section. Not needed on the RF masts because the section is larger. If I recall, they are there on the new performance 38.

 

[Trevor]

I ccertainly would not attempt to remove them, i was rather concerned that a weak point was discovered in the design and these struts were a fast fix, if that was the case i would not be a happy sailer in heavy weather

 

[Rick D]

Not the case, Trevor. Actually, a nice piece of engineering to get weight out of the section which is a pretty big deal. But, if a RF main, the section has to be larger and heavier anyway, so no struts needed.

 

[seadaddler]

Struts

I have seen struts on other older models of Hunters besides the 356 and 38,
I would call Hunter and Selden and see what they say,I love not having those struts and that's why I borth my 36 instead of a used 356,but I have sailed my H-36 offshore in heavy weather for sure during my trip down from Montauk NY to Florida almost all off shore except one day in NC.
I really would love to here what they say why they need them on some boats and not others.
Nick

 

[Scott B]

He has the traditional main, so is not Roller Furling mast, perhaps that is why?

 

[Paul356]

Correct, struts were not part of the RF rig. I never looked on the struts as buttressing a particular weak point but rather adding to the strength of the entire rig. As someone said, it allowed a smaller, lighter section for the mast. I've never had the least qualm about strength of the rig in heavy weather, or the least indication that I should have a qualm, either.

 

[Benny17441]

Can't think of a reason for a boat designer to come up with a contraption like that. I don't think it was an afterthought. It looks like it was designed by the bean counters to allow the use of cheaper components.

 

[Rick D]

Now Benny...

Can't think of a reason for a boat designer to come up with a contraption like that. I don't think it was an afterthought. It looks like it was designed by the bean counters to allow the use of cheaper components.

Mast struts (3) were a centerpiece of the rig design for the HC 50.
http://sailingu.com/hc50_specs.htm

 

[Benny17441]

No Rich, really I always thought the mast struts were designed to allow for the lack of a backsaty in the R&B rig but it seems there are other opinions out there.

 

[chuckwayne]

the struts are part of good systems engineering to spread the stresses in the rig, and partly off load stress from the cabintop chainplate for the inners. BTW, early 356 RF rigs had them ,too (ours is a 2002 356)

 

[Patrik]

Mnual H356 page 48A-2

In the manual for my H356/2002 on page 48A-2 has a note: "In-mast furling option uses a larger mast section and thus does not utulize the struts". It´s not needed but they are very nice when you are on deck in bad weather.

Patrik

 

[Alex Dare]

Yup, struts were only on the standard rigs and not on the RF rigs. The struts allowed Selden to spec a slightly smaller mast section without having to shorten the rig or worry about mast pumping in heavy air. The smaller section reduced weight aloft and improved boat performance. With the in mast this wasn't an option since the section had to be larger to accommodate the sail and mechanism.

 

[shemandr]

My 2002 356 with in mast furling has them. I replaced the mast side bolts early this season which were bent. They must be doing something. Or maybe they bent from when I used to clip the wisker pole to them ....

 

[seadaddler]

Struts

According to my Hunter manual the struts were only used or needed on the standard mast and not the furling main but I have seen them on furling mains also.
The struts are for a lighter mast and they help with less weight aloft and in turn less heeling and than better balance the rig,they selden went a heaver mast on newer inmast and don't need the struts,any way some thing to that affect.
Nick

 

[Al - s/v Persephone]

Safety plus of B&R mast struts

My 05H36 has a non-furling rig with struts.

I usually sail single-handed and have permanent SS jacklines installed. The one from the traveller arch to mast base allows me to use a 4ft tether to keep me close to the centerline on the cabintop as far as the mast.

I use the windward strut to wrap an arm around while unclipping the tether to re-clip on the jackline running from the windward chainplate to the bow pulpit.

When Selden's pivot pin worked out of my gooseneck on a 2-reefed beam reach from Cape Small to Bailey Island, I was able to use both hands to work a large screw driver into its place, because I had one arm wrapped around the port strut.

This has made me exceptionally fond of my struts.

Fair Winds,
Al