Does anyone have any experience re-rigging the standard cockpit 'arch' on a Hunter 380? I"m looking at a '99 and the original arch has been removed and the traveler placed on the cabintop. I'm not a fan of the arch, so I like the appearance of the traveler, but wondered if anyone has any experience with doing this. I suppose the one advanatage of the arch is the ease of getting to the mainsheet from the helm. And the traveler further back on the boom is an obvious advantage. But I'm looking for some feedback on whether or not the rig may be compromised with so drastic a change to the original design.
RRe-Rigging Hunter 380
- Thread starter sandiegosailor99
- Start date
There was the text of an interview done by one of the sailing magazines on the Hunter Owners website with the manger of Hunter marine. I can't find it any more. It was done a few years back.
One of the questions asked was why all the Hunters had the arch. The answer was the boats were available with or without an arch it was the customers choice. He said some were delivered each year without the arch but very few. He did not go into any details if this required a different boom, winches or other rigging.
Are you certain the boat had the arch removed or was it one that was delivered from the factory without an arch ?
Bob
One of the questions asked was why all the Hunters had the arch. The answer was the boats were available with or without an arch it was the customers choice. He said some were delivered each year without the arch but very few. He did not go into any details if this required a different boom, winches or other rigging.
Are you certain the boat had the arch removed or was it one that was delivered from the factory without an arch ?
Bob
Thanks Bob. This is VERY helpful. I inspected the boat with a surveyor and there was no way this was an add-on. It had to be ordered this way. I called Hunter and was told there were no 380s built without the arch. I've come to doubt what I hear from Hunter. It seems they are not very deep these days. Just a personal observation. Emily in sales support has been VERY helpful, but I was told there were many records lost somehow during the merger.
After removing the arch I suspect the only issues would be the stress on the boom and cabin top due to the new traveler position. The 376's were very similar boats and many of them had cabin top travelers and no arch. I have the fiberglass arch and the only rigging it makes more accessible is the traveler controls. Sheets and sail halyards run to the winches on either side of the companionway.
Hard to Believe
I find it hard to believe that Hunter offered a Arch or no Arch,I did visit the
factory when my boat was built and everything is planned out to the tee.
With or with out a arch requires so much different type of equipment and different crafting by the workers and that would be more like custom building.
What I saw at the factory was a assemble line type building and yes you could get back than small added things like table leaf or a seat at the bow and many different things like electronics small easy to add equipment but fibgerglas changing of the deck is no easy thing to change.
I have heard of changing from the fiberglass to stainless but don't know if it really was done.
If you don't like the arch than maybe buy a boat with out one.
Nick
I find it hard to believe that Hunter offered a Arch or no Arch,I did visit the
factory when my boat was built and everything is planned out to the tee.
With or with out a arch requires so much different type of equipment and different crafting by the workers and that would be more like custom building.
What I saw at the factory was a assemble line type building and yes you could get back than small added things like table leaf or a seat at the bow and many different things like electronics small easy to add equipment but fibgerglas changing of the deck is no easy thing to change.
I have heard of changing from the fiberglass to stainless but don't know if it really was done.
If you don't like the arch than maybe buy a boat with out one.
Nick
Here is the interview Cruising World did with Hunter Marine. In it Hunter said out of 3500 boats sold with the arch about 20 were sold without one. The interview was done in 1999.
http://sbo.sailboatowners.com/downloads/Hunter_gen_95942304.pdf
Lots of interesting information in this conversation. It addresses many of the questions posed by those that did not understand the reasons why Hunter designed their boats the way they did.
I think the OP was looking at a Hunter boat that is for sale and it does not have an arch. He did not know if it had been re-rigged or if it came that way from the factory. This does not answer his question for sure but if the boat looks like it came from the factory that way it probably did.
Bob
http://sbo.sailboatowners.com/downloads/Hunter_gen_95942304.pdf
Lots of interesting information in this conversation. It addresses many of the questions posed by those that did not understand the reasons why Hunter designed their boats the way they did.
I think the OP was looking at a Hunter boat that is for sale and it does not have an arch. He did not know if it had been re-rigged or if it came that way from the factory. This does not answer his question for sure but if the boat looks like it came from the factory that way it probably did.
Bob
Thanks for this great article, Bob. This answers the question. And yes, it does appear this boat was ordered without the arch, as the traveler sure looks like it was secured at the factory and not an add-on. I appreciate your digging this up. There remains the question as to whether the cabin-top traveler would hold up to heavy sea conditions, given the enormous main on this boat. I suppose it's up to the sailor to find out how much she'll take. For those who prefer the traditional look, it's probably the way to go...but if Hunter designed the boat to be used with an arch, then maybe that's what I should go with and keep looking.
Early Years
I am only guessing this was the early years when the Arch was fiberglass than switched to Stainless and Hunter took over making the stainless in house.
I remember back in 2006 touring many Sailboat Shows some one would say I am not in love with the Hunter Arch and the dealer said I guess you don't want to buy a Hunter and can sell you their other sailboats.
When I was ordering my 2007 H-36 no Arch was not a option.
Many other sailboats builders were built with out a Arch so I can't see a problem and see and hear a lot of sailors asking to put a Arch on their none arch sailboat and have seen many sailboats with a arch.
Many Hunters before the Arch was born are still sailing very well with out a Arch and doing very well,like a few I have seen did have travelers improved or upgraded due to problems,there are many sailboats sailing with out a arch for sure.
I love my Arch and have found most love them too and as mentioned would like to add a arch if they don't have one.
Nick
I am only guessing this was the early years when the Arch was fiberglass than switched to Stainless and Hunter took over making the stainless in house.
I remember back in 2006 touring many Sailboat Shows some one would say I am not in love with the Hunter Arch and the dealer said I guess you don't want to buy a Hunter and can sell you their other sailboats.
When I was ordering my 2007 H-36 no Arch was not a option.
Many other sailboats builders were built with out a Arch so I can't see a problem and see and hear a lot of sailors asking to put a Arch on their none arch sailboat and have seen many sailboats with a arch.
Many Hunters before the Arch was born are still sailing very well with out a Arch and doing very well,like a few I have seen did have travelers improved or upgraded due to problems,there are many sailboats sailing with out a arch for sure.
I love my Arch and have found most love them too and as mentioned would like to add a arch if they don't have one.
Nick
Well, I kept looking and found a 2000 Hunter 280. It has the SS arch. Cant wait to get her to San Diego, re-commissioned and take her for a spin.