New sailor, new boat, new concerns

[SteveHughessails]

We took our Hunter 240 out for the first time. When we first bought the boat, it was on the water. The seller told us he has never had it on the trailer nor has he ever unstepped the Mast. Ok, away we go. Sails down, engine on we travelled roughly 1.5 hours to the nearest ramp. We did not fill the ballast tank. Fast forward, we’re on the trailer wondering how to put the mast down lol. With thanks to a downloaded manual, we used the front halyard to the lower the mast. (LOL)

Fast forward again, hull repair complete. We are now back on the trailer needing to step the mast. We attached the main sheets, pole and front halyard but quickly learned we cannot pull the front halyard to raise the mast. Realizing we unstepped it incorrectly. It didn’t take long to see how it actually works. Up goes the mast pulling on the sheets. Impressive setup. Much smoother operation than stepping the mast on our Mac25.

Once the mast was vertical, the forestay was roughly 12 to 14 inches away from attaching. I thought to myself, there is no way I can pull this down. Furthermore, I thought there is no way I would want to put that much pressure on it if I could pull it down. I loosened the turnbuckle significantly until I was able to put enough pressure on the forestay to attach it. It was still a lot of pressure. I had to place my foot on the pole and push it down closer to the deck to attach it. I have not gained any experience wrt rake in the mast. I’m pretty sure I increased the amount of rake lol.

Question: After doing some reading on the B&R rig, I will have to step the mast again and then use the main halyard to measure the mast rake etc. I’m not fully understanding how much tension/distance is required to put on the forestay? If it lets go, yikes............

I’d sure appreciate some advice.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Go to boat information and select the hunter 260. Under downloads, look for instructions to raise and lower/raise the mast. Take a look and if you have any questions let me know
Cc crazy Dave.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I usually use two halyards even though the load is far less than what the single line is rated for. Just for piece of mind

 

[SteveHughessails]

Thanks Dave, I will read it again.

I get the double halyard idea; I have concerns using the snap shackles. I am planning on an alternative to use with or in place of the snap shackle.

 

[SteveHughessails]

This is what I have learned. Connecting the forestay should take a fair amount of effort but should not be unreasonably difficult. If connecting the forestay is too arduous I must look at the rest of the rigging. This begs the question what is the 240 forestay length that we tune the rig around. 28’ 3” is the reported length. Of course I have to ask, is that the total length to “hooked up” or is that the actual forestay to the end of the threads and then we install the turnbuckle etc. ?

 

[SteveHughessails]

No reply, I must be missing something. I’ll go measure my forestay and see how close it is.
Thanks

 

[SteveHughessails]

We measured our forestay, 27' 11" to the center of the pin (hooked up). This is after I lengthened it with the turnbuckle last week. There is no way I can get to the 28' 3" with this setup. Please tell me I am missing the boat on this one?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Take a picture of the shroud turnbuckles and post them here. Private message sent.
Crazy Dave

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

@SteveHughessails

I cannot help you without the request of the photos. Do you know if there was ever roller furling or not. Did you finally finish the repairs? Did you get my private message sir?

 

[SteveHughessails]

Hi Dave
I posted some pictures on another site and have gotten multiple replies on this. So far it’s really looking like it’s all new user error. The Hunter 240 has also received a compliment regarding being a very robust setup for a 24 foot boat. I’m hoping to step the mast again very soon. Looks like rain today though. When I do I will post some pics and share the results.
Yesterday was thanksgiving up here, PM received. Many Thanks

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

My experience relies on the fact I sold nearly a quarter of the production line and know the boat too well @SteveHughessails

 

[SteveHughessails]

I know, this is why I am posting here. I am relying on you.

Too much rain right now falling in this area. Once it clears I will be stepping the mast again and sharing. Thanks Dave, your efforts are really appreciated.

 

[CrispyCringle]

Im not understanding how the forestay came off okay, but is so short when going back on? One common issue when raising the mast is the side stays can bind where the turnbuckles attach to the chain plates. This happens just as the slack is starting to be taken out of the side stays. Its very easy to bend the turnbuckles if you force it. The measured length of the forestay should be from the attachment point at both ends, ideally with the turnbuckle in a mid-position. Also, you can get extensions for the forestay that are similar to a headboard shackle. Im not sure of the proper name. But again, not sure how the forestay shrank from when it was removed.

Did you loosen the side stays before you brought the mast down? You need to do that. Otherwise it would be very tight going back up. I think I used to loosen about 5 turns each. I would loosen the stays, then put a piece of tape on the turnbuckle with the number of turns loosened written on the tape. Save a bit of rig tuning next time the mast goes up.

As far as pulling the mast too far forward, it shouldn't come to much further forward after the mast foot is flat on the deck. In other words, the mast should not be stressed forward of vertical.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The reason for picture of the shroud turnbuckles was to determine if the studs had been screwed all the way into the turnbuckle body and to determine the studs were straight or bent. For the record the mast raise system was designed by me @SteveHughessails

 

[SteveHughessails]

Well all I can say is a father and son team with no idea was successful in unstepping the mast We did not loosen anything but the forestay. My guess, we were running on pure excitement. I put pressure on the main sheet, my son would have disconnected the pin, he’s a machine, and then we used the rope clutch on the jib halyard to bring it all the way down. We were so excited lol, we did it. Then the repairs.... then the first time stepping. I think we’re doing ok. we did get on the water with the mast up. Hooking the forestay up with the wife, I felt was too tight. It was. Stepping the mast, I used the Jib Halyard to get the lifting pole up high, long sheet, and used the sheet to lift it and lower it.

Stepping it was a treat compared to our MacGregor 25. There was no sway, no movement on the Hunter mast at all. Very nice. I looked yesterday, I can see one of the threaded rods on the side stay is definitely bent but I don’t see any turnbuckles other than the forestay. Sunny skies today with little rain. I’m going to give it a shot by myself. I will post pictures.
Thanks guys

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Were you using the boom when lowering/raising?

 

[SteveHughessails]

No, the first thing we had to do was pull the main cover and main sail and put it away. Then we pulled the boom before unstepping. When I stepped the mast it was raised secured, then I installed the boom.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

No, the first thing we had to do was pull the main cover and main sail and put it away. Then we pulled the boom before unstepping. When I stepped the mast it was raised secured, then I installed the boom.

I'm not familiar with the stepping process on your boat. Some use the boom and if not properly secured, the boom can swing to one side causing the mast to fall down suddenly. I almost fell 10' to the ground when this happened on my boat. I built a proper stepping system after that

 

[SteveHughessails]

Yikes, falling from this far, as young as I am, no thanks. Glad you didn't come down with it. I actually opted to not step the mast today. Everything is quite wet and I am all alone etc. I did however learn a lot.

@crazydavecondon
I managed to get intimate with my setup today. I didn't realize the side shrouds/forestay etc. just loop inside the edge of the mast; I like that. I pulled the protecting covers up off the side shrouds. Turnbuckles have a fare amount of adjusting space left to tighten but not so much to loosen. They are wired locked, both sides. They each have a gentle bend to them for sure too. I can see now how loosening the side shrouds would allow the mast to travel further forward taking some of the pressure off the forestay.
We are definitely dealing with my user error/unknowns here. Shorter forestay can be apparently for sailing in heavier winds......

The lower support bars threaded rod, is quite bent?
Last picture is with the mast raised from last week. Apparently that's the normal pre-bend (not rake, lol).

 

[SteveHughessails]

Look at the colour of our lake. It's calling my name