In the attempt of purchase of this 1985 31ft I recently had a survey completed. The surveyor, hoisted by bosun, examined all of the running rigging, spreaders, mast etc. His inspection revealed a problem...the lower port spreader was acutally broken (very loose) from the stay bracket and appeared to be held only by a pin. Starboard side good, however, it had a crack in the aluminum at the rigging passage hole. He, of course, recommended that this be inspected by a professional rigger. (More time,more money but know it is worth it.) A few other minor cosmetic issues and diesal engine minor stuff that I can live with...but this...the icing.. My question is this...Has anyone had same problem and is it more than likely an age/time thing...Might as well drop the mast, have it fixed and retune or is it time to walk away..
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Rig-rite has the parts.
Don: Maybe you should price out a complete new rig and the associated other parts that you need. This boat is 20 years old and the rig should be replaced. It is probably past it prime being that it has been in a salt water environment. I think that some owners have reported a complete replacement from Seco for about $700 in materials. Then you probably need a rigger to do this (unless you are up to the task). The mast must be dropped to do it properly. Basic tuning is done with the mast down. Then they re-step it and finish it on the boat. I would think that $2000 would take care of the entire process. These are really pretty trouble free boats. The rudder and the compression posts are the only major areas to worry about.
Don: Maybe you should price out a complete new rig and the associated other parts that you need. This boat is 20 years old and the rig should be replaced. It is probably past it prime being that it has been in a salt water environment. I think that some owners have reported a complete replacement from Seco for about $700 in materials. Then you probably need a rigger to do this (unless you are up to the task). The mast must be dropped to do it properly. Basic tuning is done with the mast down. Then they re-step it and finish it on the boat. I would think that $2000 would take care of the entire process. These are really pretty trouble free boats. The rudder and the compression posts are the only major areas to worry about.
Rigging / Surveyor
If the findings from your survey are to be deducted from the asking price, just have a reputable rigger or Hunter dealer quote you a price for dropping the mast, examinining the fittings and replacing the damaged parts. However,I doubt that the seller is going to go for replacing the mast itself, or a complete replacement of all standing rigging, nor should that be required unless you see further evidence of problems like kinks in the rigging or pressure wrinkles in the aluminum of the mast section; severe oxidation around the major spreader fittings at the mast, etc. The damage to a spreader tip sounds like something that might have occured at a raft up when two masts bumped together. Everything's a negotiation, so get a fair repair price and if you want the boat, negotiate a fair and reasonable settlement.
If the findings from your survey are to be deducted from the asking price, just have a reputable rigger or Hunter dealer quote you a price for dropping the mast, examinining the fittings and replacing the damaged parts. However,I doubt that the seller is going to go for replacing the mast itself, or a complete replacement of all standing rigging, nor should that be required unless you see further evidence of problems like kinks in the rigging or pressure wrinkles in the aluminum of the mast section; severe oxidation around the major spreader fittings at the mast, etc. The damage to a spreader tip sounds like something that might have occured at a raft up when two masts bumped together. Everything's a negotiation, so get a fair repair price and if you want the boat, negotiate a fair and reasonable settlement.
Stu, that last line said it all.
I wouldn't 'walk' from an otherwise good boat and you can't expect the seller to bare the cost of the entire re-rig. But Don, a portion of the cost is fair. And you can fix anything wrong with that mast assembly. Mine, after our rebuild, is perfect. That's hard to say about a 18 year old spar that's lived 10 years in the tropics and been blown over by a hurricane. You can do it too. And you're going to have so much fun.
I wouldn't 'walk' from an otherwise good boat and you can't expect the seller to bare the cost of the entire re-rig. But Don, a portion of the cost is fair. And you can fix anything wrong with that mast assembly. Mine, after our rebuild, is perfect. That's hard to say about a 18 year old spar that's lived 10 years in the tropics and been blown over by a hurricane. You can do it too. And you're going to have so much fun.
Freds got it right.....
replacing a spreader, or tip or even the bracket that attaches to the mast is no biggie ( the part that is welded to the Isomat spar where the spreader sticks on ) as these parts are all still available at Rig Rite (although parts can be pricey - thats why I machine most of my own) check the rest of the rig, make a deal with the seller and go have some fun.....
replacing a spreader, or tip or even the bracket that attaches to the mast is no biggie ( the part that is welded to the Isomat spar where the spreader sticks on ) as these parts are all still available at Rig Rite (although parts can be pricey - thats why I machine most of my own) check the rest of the rig, make a deal with the seller and go have some fun.....
The saga continues...
Thanks all for the comments and I agree with most..as in the seller has agreed to foot the cost for repair. Rigger inspected today and sure enough the casting that is welded to the mast and joined to the spreader was completely broken and the only thing holding the spreader was the rigging itself. Welder to look at and estimate cost to repair/replace. Rigger suggested complete replacement of rigging to tune of approx. $6,000. Suggestion is key word. Not me and surely not seller so will see what happens with welder. Heart is wounded. Also, several holding pins bent...Must have hit something pretty good to bend the stay pins.
Thanks all for the comments and I agree with most..as in the seller has agreed to foot the cost for repair. Rigger inspected today and sure enough the casting that is welded to the mast and joined to the spreader was completely broken and the only thing holding the spreader was the rigging itself. Welder to look at and estimate cost to repair/replace. Rigger suggested complete replacement of rigging to tune of approx. $6,000. Suggestion is key word. Not me and surely not seller so will see what happens with welder. Heart is wounded. Also, several holding pins bent...Must have hit something pretty good to bend the stay pins.
Seems out of line.
Don: I would suggest that you or the seller contact Seco and see what they quote for an entire new standing rig. Get the price for the parts and have a welder quote for their repair. Then get a quote for a rigger to setup the mast, re-sept the mast and tune. If these prices that others quoted from Seco are realistic the total should be in the $3-4k range.
Don: I would suggest that you or the seller contact Seco and see what they quote for an entire new standing rig. Get the price for the parts and have a welder quote for their repair. Then get a quote for a rigger to setup the mast, re-sept the mast and tune. If these prices that others quoted from Seco are realistic the total should be in the $3-4k range.
Did I ever tell you my fireplace story?
My property manager and a chimney sweep he hired looked very concerned when they said my 'heatalator' liner was rusted out and the entire fireplace had to be replaced to repair it. Ten years ago, they guessed $4000.00. There was a rust spot that was 'so bad' it would burn down the entire mast, er,, house. I fixed it with fireplace epoxy and a piece of sheet metal. Cost? Fifty CENTS! Get a second, or third opinion, got it? (I hired a new PM) P.S. And in racing, a 'totaled' or 'blown up' aluminum engine block or heads is unheard of. They are always fixable.
My property manager and a chimney sweep he hired looked very concerned when they said my 'heatalator' liner was rusted out and the entire fireplace had to be replaced to repair it. Ten years ago, they guessed $4000.00. There was a rust spot that was 'so bad' it would burn down the entire mast, er,, house. I fixed it with fireplace epoxy and a piece of sheet metal. Cost? Fifty CENTS! Get a second, or third opinion, got it? (I hired a new PM) P.S. And in racing, a 'totaled' or 'blown up' aluminum engine block or heads is unheard of. They are always fixable.
I JUST DID MY 1981 H27
I just bought a sweetheart of a 'deal' for $1200 a few months back. The hull and decks were in good shape, below decks was a mess, but mechanically, things seemed okay. However, after fixing some things up, completely cleaning and replacing many interior components, and even sailing it a few times, I decided to have a professional rigger look at the rig. It was worth every penny. When he went up the mast, he found small divots and kinks in the shrouds and forestays which can significantly reduce the strength of the wire. He also found that the upper pin holding the forestay to the mast, was partially dislodged and was working its way out of the fitting. I was a few millimeters away from dismasting myself. At any rate, he recommended that the standing rigging be replaced, and offered to powder coat the mast, boom and associated hardware for me. The total bill comes to about $2,200 for new anchor light, windvane, powder coat mast, boom, and spreaders, minor crack weld repair to spreaders, new spreader tips, all new standing rigging (3/16X19 ss wire), swaged ends, new lifelines all around, new outhaul, and new vhf antenna... I was seriously thinking about trying to see how far I could get on the current rig, but in hind sight, my decision to hire a professional rigger was a great one. He found things I would not have looked for, and as a benefit, I have been paying attention to everything he does, so I can do my own inspections in the future. It is worth the money to have a professional rigger give you the peace of mind of having a rig that is safe and can withstand the abuse that a sailboat underway can take on. Just shop around a bit, and the price should come down. Plus, many riggers will come down on prices if you bargain wisely. Even if the mast is older, and may have light corrosion, as long as there is no cracking or large pits in the surface, just cleaning it up, and re-coating it professionally will do the trick without having to buy a $2,500 mast... Chris
I just bought a sweetheart of a 'deal' for $1200 a few months back. The hull and decks were in good shape, below decks was a mess, but mechanically, things seemed okay. However, after fixing some things up, completely cleaning and replacing many interior components, and even sailing it a few times, I decided to have a professional rigger look at the rig. It was worth every penny. When he went up the mast, he found small divots and kinks in the shrouds and forestays which can significantly reduce the strength of the wire. He also found that the upper pin holding the forestay to the mast, was partially dislodged and was working its way out of the fitting. I was a few millimeters away from dismasting myself. At any rate, he recommended that the standing rigging be replaced, and offered to powder coat the mast, boom and associated hardware for me. The total bill comes to about $2,200 for new anchor light, windvane, powder coat mast, boom, and spreaders, minor crack weld repair to spreaders, new spreader tips, all new standing rigging (3/16X19 ss wire), swaged ends, new lifelines all around, new outhaul, and new vhf antenna... I was seriously thinking about trying to see how far I could get on the current rig, but in hind sight, my decision to hire a professional rigger was a great one. He found things I would not have looked for, and as a benefit, I have been paying attention to everything he does, so I can do my own inspections in the future. It is worth the money to have a professional rigger give you the peace of mind of having a rig that is safe and can withstand the abuse that a sailboat underway can take on. Just shop around a bit, and the price should come down. Plus, many riggers will come down on prices if you bargain wisely. Even if the mast is older, and may have light corrosion, as long as there is no cracking or large pits in the surface, just cleaning it up, and re-coating it professionally will do the trick without having to buy a $2,500 mast... Chris
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