What effect would shortening a H37 mast by 10 feet to clear local bridges which are 50 feet. Also....what would the value adjustment be upon resale? Obviously, I know there would be a performance sacrifice, but the H37 has a pretty good PHRF rating and it's a fractional rig so the headsail would be cut down disproportionately as compared to the main. So with the modification, do you think it would compare with other slower boats of same size? Opinions appreciated
Need advice on shortening mast....H37 Legend
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you're talking about a pretty big investment to hack up a boat. New rigging all around, new /modified sails, mast cutting, moving hardware on the mast, and I'm sure you'll never get the resale value back.
It is hard to judge performance effects on paper. Go ahead and reef the main and roll up the headsail a bit and try the boat out at various wind speeds. It will give you a close feel for the proposed changes. If the performance is not adequate I would start looking for another boat but if it is agreable then the modification may be worthwhile. As far as resale value down the line you limit your market but for buyers in your area it may be a desirable improvement. It will be a costly modification but I'm sure you have already considered that.
donalex.....Are you sure, given that the foot of the sail will not be compromised? The mainsail will be "trimmed" from the original clew point upward to the new masthead point. Thnaks for the post
No offense but this mod will destroy not only the sailing performance but will virtually make selling the boat impossible. If you plan on owning the boat for life and don't care about making a great sailing boat into a slug and are prepared for the financial cost of the mod then go ahead. You would IMHO be better served by selling this boat and buying a smaller rigged boat or docking the boat outside the bridges.
Well, I think the boat could be re-sold, it would be most likely sold locally (Mobile to Panama City) only, where that modification is not uncommon. The bridges at Destin and the two on Santa Rosa Sound and The Narrows respectively are a problem and it is not unusual to shorten masts to fit under. The Perdido Pass bridge is a good bit taller at 54 feet.. If you’ve talked to the local riggers, I am sure you’ve heard that they’ve done quite a few. It will reduce sail area and make the boat slower in light air as previously noted.. Additional roach on the main, a drifter, larger genoa or the diesel can solve that problem.. The area reduction may not be as bad as predicted since the normal main on the boat doesn’t go all the way up.. If you aren’t racing, the reduction is not that much of a problem.. Goodluck, but think long about it before breaking out the hack saw!
Some folks don't understand that in some parts of the country your sailing opportunities and enjoyment can be seriously curtailed when you have to schedule your outings around the tides to make sure you clear bridges or have enough water under your keel. Modifications to permit the owner to be free to keep the boat they like and allow them to sail without restrictions are at times well worth it.
Don't understand your second posting.
If you are intending to cut 10' off the mast and still have a mainsail which is triangular then you must cut off an equivalent area of 10' off the foot.
Cutting 10' off the head and reworking the leech and batten pockets will yield the same result area wise - unless you are going to gaff rig!
My drawing of my main is attached.
If you are intending to cut 10' off the mast and still have a mainsail which is triangular then you must cut off an equivalent area of 10' off the foot.
Cutting 10' off the head and reworking the leech and batten pockets will yield the same result area wise - unless you are going to gaff rig!
My drawing of my main is attached.
Attachments
Was thinking the same thing Claude. One could use a main with a radical roach and preserve some of the sail area. Thinking more along the lines of reshaping from the top and not the bottom. Besides, it makes the sail more like an airplane wing. 
This is assuming of course that the rig has no backstay. If it does, you'll have to basically lower the sail 10' and lose a lot of area.
Edit: Saw pictures and it looks like you have a backstay . . . right?
This is assuming of course that the rig has no backstay. If it does, you'll have to basically lower the sail 10' and lose a lot of area.
Edit: Saw pictures and it looks like you have a backstay . . . right?
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Jib Too
From information on H37 (1987-1990) elsewhere on this site and a small hand drawn sketch, the attachment point for the forestay to the mast is only 6' down from the masthead.
Shortening the rig by 10' would mean shortening the jib luff by about 4' and, assuming a 150% overlapping genoa which was common in 1987, this means a further loss of SA by approx 40 sq ft.
If the boat presently has a small jib then some additional area could be won back by increasing its overlap - if the shrouds will allow.
From information on H37 (1987-1990) elsewhere on this site and a small hand drawn sketch, the attachment point for the forestay to the mast is only 6' down from the masthead.
Shortening the rig by 10' would mean shortening the jib luff by about 4' and, assuming a 150% overlapping genoa which was common in 1987, this means a further loss of SA by approx 40 sq ft.
If the boat presently has a small jib then some additional area could be won back by increasing its overlap - if the shrouds will allow.
And then there is this technique!
See previous thread from January 2008 - complete with photos!
click on link below and scroll back to start of thread.
Not for the faint hearted!
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=519743&highlight=How%20to%20get%20a%20tall%20mast%20under%20a%20low%20bridge.
See previous thread from January 2008 - complete with photos!
click on link below and scroll back to start of thread.
Not for the faint hearted!
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=519743&highlight=How%20to%20get%20a%20tall%20mast%20under%20a%20low%20bridge.
Hunter 37 With A Short Mast.
Call the Pelican's Pearch Shipyard in Pensacola as they have a Hunter 37 on the lot with a short mast that was cut just above the hound.
They also have a main sail cut to fit that mast.
Cutting the mast just above the hound enables one to use the original port and starboard shrouds and the forestay and backstay.
The HL 37 is for sale and possibly they will swap you for your mast.
Worth a call
Don't know exactly who to talk to - they have a salesman in the office who seems to be the middleman.
Broad Reach
Number At PPS is is 850-453-3271
Call the Pelican's Pearch Shipyard in Pensacola as they have a Hunter 37 on the lot with a short mast that was cut just above the hound.
They also have a main sail cut to fit that mast.
Cutting the mast just above the hound enables one to use the original port and starboard shrouds and the forestay and backstay.
The HL 37 is for sale and possibly they will swap you for your mast.
Worth a call
Don't know exactly who to talk to - they have a salesman in the office who seems to be the middleman.
Broad Reach
Number At PPS is is 850-453-3271
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