I'm wondering if I have the same mast design as other Hunter oweners and how to deal with it when reefing the main. Just above the gooseneck, the slit in the mast widens, as if it were designed for a luff rope instead of slides to hold the main to the mast. As such, if allowed to, the slides would fall out as the main is lowered. To prevent that from happening, there is a stopper, about half the size of my little finger with a thumb screw on the side of it, that slides into the mast at the wide opening and is tightened to keep the slides from sliding down and out. So far so good. But, when I want to reef the main, the reefing cringle won't reach the rams horn unless the stopper is removed and the lower slides are allowed to fall out. Trying to use a wrench to loosen the stopper and keep it from getting lost while reefing the main in heavy air seems a bit too much. Are other Hunter masts configured that way? Is there a better device to keep the slides from falling out that can be released easily?
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
How is cringle constructed?
John: On our H'31 ('85) the cringle is a ring attached to a piece of webbing. We have one for both reef points. I NEVER remove the stopper (except when removing the sail). Our basic procedure involves 1. Putting the boat into the wind. 2. Loosen the sheet stopper for the main halyard. 3. Put the propper cringle in the rams horn. 4. Pull the jiffy reefing line for the trailing edge of the sail and jam the stopper. 5. Raise the mainsail and winch it to the proper tension. You may have a sail that was not the original. I suggest that you have a sail maker take a look at refitting your sail. I would think that this could be done for under $100.
John: On our H'31 ('85) the cringle is a ring attached to a piece of webbing. We have one for both reef points. I NEVER remove the stopper (except when removing the sail). Our basic procedure involves 1. Putting the boat into the wind. 2. Loosen the sheet stopper for the main halyard. 3. Put the propper cringle in the rams horn. 4. Pull the jiffy reefing line for the trailing edge of the sail and jam the stopper. 5. Raise the mainsail and winch it to the proper tension. You may have a sail that was not the original. I suggest that you have a sail maker take a look at refitting your sail. I would think that this could be done for under $100.
D
David Foster
"Slug-gate" and cringle in sail
Our '77 h27 has a hinge-like gate that keeps the slugs from coming out of the slot - they can slide right past it when it is closed (and held closed with a cotter pin. The cringle is right in the sail and both easily reach the ramshorn. It would probably help to name your hunter model, since there is variation among them, and that may help you with a response from someone who has faced your exact problem. David Lady Lillie
Our '77 h27 has a hinge-like gate that keeps the slugs from coming out of the slot - they can slide right past it when it is closed (and held closed with a cotter pin. The cringle is right in the sail and both easily reach the ramshorn. It would probably help to name your hunter model, since there is variation among them, and that may help you with a response from someone who has faced your exact problem. David Lady Lillie
B
Bob England
"Slug gate" orientation?
Do you have the plate that keeps the sail slugs from coming out of the slot in the correct position? It is supposed to be vertical, so the slugs can slide down freely right past it. It just narrows the slot enough so they don't come out. Bob.
Do you have the plate that keeps the sail slugs from coming out of the slot in the correct position? It is supposed to be vertical, so the slugs can slide down freely right past it. It just narrows the slot enough so they don't come out. Bob.
J
John Faris
Missing a Plate
Apparently I'm missing the plate that narrows the slit in the mast. My model is an '86 28.5 and I believe that I have the original sail (or one specifically made for the boat since it has "h28.5" on it). The cringle is on the sail (not on webbing as is your's Steve) and it works fine, except that I have to remove the stopper and allow a couple of slides to fall out.
Apparently I'm missing the plate that narrows the slit in the mast. My model is an '86 28.5 and I believe that I have the original sail (or one specifically made for the boat since it has "h28.5" on it). The cringle is on the sail (not on webbing as is your's Steve) and it works fine, except that I have to remove the stopper and allow a couple of slides to fall out.
D
Don
Where can one order these plates?
I'm missing one too on my 93 37.5. I have the same problem can have reefing and need to get this plate. I've been using a thumbscreww too. Suggestions?
I'm missing one too on my 93 37.5. I have the same problem can have reefing and need to get this plate. I've been using a thumbscreww too. Suggestions?
S
Sam Lust
For What It's Worth ----
The original Johnson sails on my '83 Hunter 33 with Kenyon mast had a "jack line" at the reef piont. This enabled the sail to drop away from the mast when reefing so the cringle would pull right in to the goose neck. My reefing lines come back to the winches on the coachroof so reefing is a 1 - 2 - 3 affair without playing around with a stopper. I like the jack line so much I had them put on both reef points on my new main. A sailmaker should be able to set you up with one cheap. I cured the open slot problem with a piece of scrap aluminum and an hour of my time. Wouldn't have it vany other way.
The original Johnson sails on my '83 Hunter 33 with Kenyon mast had a "jack line" at the reef piont. This enabled the sail to drop away from the mast when reefing so the cringle would pull right in to the goose neck. My reefing lines come back to the winches on the coachroof so reefing is a 1 - 2 - 3 affair without playing around with a stopper. I like the jack line so much I had them put on both reef points on my new main. A sailmaker should be able to set you up with one cheap. I cured the open slot problem with a piece of scrap aluminum and an hour of my time. Wouldn't have it vany other way.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.