This is really a question for SF Bay Area boaters. I've read the posts on other people's experiences with dropping the mast on a Hunter, and there are some things to be careful of. I was wondering if any Hunter owners (or others) in the Bay Area have used a yard that they would recommend? Also, since most yards seem to charge by the hour for crane operator time, did you do any "prep" work before getting to the yard? I have a roller furling jib and was thinking about removing it and using the halyard as a temp support to speed up the process. Thanks, -Richard S/V Discovery South Beach Harbor
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Tony
A lot to do
Not in the Bay Area, but on the second question... yes, there is a lot you can before you get to the yard... I don't recommend removing your furler and using your halyard... if it fails, you will have a difficult time explaining it to your insurance company! Here are things we did to save some $ at the yard before removing the mast... First and foremost... if you have a digital camera, take pictures of all the rigging connections before you start. The yard should know how to put it all back together, but just in case... make a written plan with the boat yard of what they are going to do and what you are going to do... then follow it. Next, remove any chafing tape from the turnbuckles, clear excess lines from spars, electrical tape coiled lines to spars remove the inspection plate under the base of the mast (inside the cabin) and disconnect any wiring (make sure you do this immediately before you go to the boat yard...) know where a lot of tools are... when you need them is not the time to go find them... Mark the turnbuckles with tape (at the "rigged" tensions) so everything goes back on to approximately where it came off. Get stainless steel rigging wire to reconnect your shrouds to the spreaders. Have new spreader tip rollers or covers ready to go on before you put the mast back up. Think about new antennas or know where parts are available... maybe a new wind vane... replace the mast head lights whether or not they are burned out... doing it on the ground beats riding the bosun's chair up the mast... Most of all, have fun.... maintenance should be as much fun as sailing... if it's not, you should get into a land sport like couch napping. Have fun!
Not in the Bay Area, but on the second question... yes, there is a lot you can before you get to the yard... I don't recommend removing your furler and using your halyard... if it fails, you will have a difficult time explaining it to your insurance company! Here are things we did to save some $ at the yard before removing the mast... First and foremost... if you have a digital camera, take pictures of all the rigging connections before you start. The yard should know how to put it all back together, but just in case... make a written plan with the boat yard of what they are going to do and what you are going to do... then follow it. Next, remove any chafing tape from the turnbuckles, clear excess lines from spars, electrical tape coiled lines to spars remove the inspection plate under the base of the mast (inside the cabin) and disconnect any wiring (make sure you do this immediately before you go to the boat yard...) know where a lot of tools are... when you need them is not the time to go find them... Mark the turnbuckles with tape (at the "rigged" tensions) so everything goes back on to approximately where it came off. Get stainless steel rigging wire to reconnect your shrouds to the spreaders. Have new spreader tip rollers or covers ready to go on before you put the mast back up. Think about new antennas or know where parts are available... maybe a new wind vane... replace the mast head lights whether or not they are burned out... doing it on the ground beats riding the bosun's chair up the mast... Most of all, have fun.... maintenance should be as much fun as sailing... if it's not, you should get into a land sport like couch napping. Have fun!
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Terry
Way to go Tony, a good bit of advice for...
Richard. I had the yard unstep the mast on our P42 this summer, and while it was down did many of the things you suggest. Found electrical wires at the step that were worn through, repaired a leak at the step where the wires enter the cabin, etc. Also installed new Rig Wrap on the spreader caps while I was at it. Another biggy, I cleaned and sprayed dry lube on the mast track and slides. It made a huge difference in the raising and lowering of the main. Terry
Richard. I had the yard unstep the mast on our P42 this summer, and while it was down did many of the things you suggest. Found electrical wires at the step that were worn through, repaired a leak at the step where the wires enter the cabin, etc. Also installed new Rig Wrap on the spreader caps while I was at it. Another biggy, I cleaned and sprayed dry lube on the mast track and slides. It made a huge difference in the raising and lowering of the main. Terry
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J. Tesoriero
A few more things....
In addition to Tony's and Terry's advice, I would add the following: Remove the boom and all associated lines. Spray all of the turnbuckles with WD-40 or some other oil. Remove the cotter pins from the turnbuckles and make sure that the turnbuckles will turn. If the mast is ready to be removed, leave the cotter pins out.
In addition to Tony's and Terry's advice, I would add the following: Remove the boom and all associated lines. Spray all of the turnbuckles with WD-40 or some other oil. Remove the cotter pins from the turnbuckles and make sure that the turnbuckles will turn. If the mast is ready to be removed, leave the cotter pins out.
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Royce
Screws into mast shoe
I had to drill out my screws that went thru the mast into the shoe at the base of the mast.
I had to drill out my screws that went thru the mast into the shoe at the base of the mast.
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Rick Johnson
Bay area yards...
Hey, just thought I'd put my 2 cents in since you had some excellent advice regarding my rudder. The previous replies to your question were loaded with good information; lots of things that I did NOT do when I had my mast stepped last year, but wish I had. I did think to remove the boom, all the cotter pins and lube the turnbuckles, etc, but I wish I had thought of the rest of these things, especially the digital camera idea. I had Nelson's Marina in Alameda step the mast, (I'd had the boat trucked to SFO) and I believe labor was $75/hr. I was mostly satisfied with their work, and prices, but I was on a timtable, kind of, and they had to be prodded constantly to get things done when they said they would. Note, in this regard, that I had some other stuff done, also. Thru-hull valves, bottom paint, etc. I'll e-mail their invoice to you if you think it will help to compare with other Bay area yards. Seeya around the Bay sometime, Rick J, Folie a Deux, Oyster Pt.
Hey, just thought I'd put my 2 cents in since you had some excellent advice regarding my rudder. The previous replies to your question were loaded with good information; lots of things that I did NOT do when I had my mast stepped last year, but wish I had. I did think to remove the boom, all the cotter pins and lube the turnbuckles, etc, but I wish I had thought of the rest of these things, especially the digital camera idea. I had Nelson's Marina in Alameda step the mast, (I'd had the boat trucked to SFO) and I believe labor was $75/hr. I was mostly satisfied with their work, and prices, but I was on a timtable, kind of, and they had to be prodded constantly to get things done when they said they would. Note, in this regard, that I had some other stuff done, also. Thru-hull valves, bottom paint, etc. I'll e-mail their invoice to you if you think it will help to compare with other Bay area yards. Seeya around the Bay sometime, Rick J, Folie a Deux, Oyster Pt.
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Richard Deep
Thanks to all...
Thanks to everyone for their great advice and insights. I appreciate the information, and I'm sure it'll help me do the job right! -Richard
Thanks to everyone for their great advice and insights. I appreciate the information, and I'm sure it'll help me do the job right! -Richard
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