Self tending Yankee using the Cutter Track.

Jim Legere · Sep 4, 2013

Pilotocopilot said:
Certainly something that will be inspected and modified as needed if I decide to go ahead with the change. The raised portion I'm assuming has a wooden block under the fiberglass that the track is screwed into if I'm following what your saying.

On my 1983, there are some areas where aluminum plates are sandwiched in the deck layup - i.e. around the mast and at the end of the cabin where the mainsheet winch is located - not sure about under the staysail traveller, but I would guess 'yes'. It is easy to drill and tap these areas; I did so for my boom vang installation, which probably sees as much load as the staysail traveller.

Jim Legere · Sep 4, 2013

Pilotocopilot said:
Jim this is the second time in recent posts someone has mentioned aluminum plates.Is there any definitive account of were when and what year hunter used these plates in the boats construction? Beyond the issue at hand with the track, has anyone on their 79 installed clutches and where they through bolted and backed in the interior or drilled and tapped into existing aluminum plates in the cabin top on either side of the companion way.

I don't know when the laminated-in aluminum backing plates appeared in the H37C. There was a change in the deck mould in 1982, when the main traveller moved to the cabin top. Since the travellers are not through bolted, I assume that Hunter planned for that by including some aluminum plate in the lay up schedule. I would say that the staysail traveller is probably the same way - I doubt it is just 'screwed into wood', even on pre-'82 boats. If, when you remove the staysail traveller, it is fixed with machine screws (i.e. with bolt-type threads) then almost certainly there is a backing plate in the lay up. It is also very evident when drilling for a fastener, as I discovered when I installed my vang, since the aluminum cuttings come up in the drill swarf. Please let us know what you discover if you remove your traveller.

sandpiper10471 · Sep 16, 2013

There is no aluminum plate under the staysail track. It is indeed held by wood screws except at each end where it is through bolted. Bolts come through just forward of the forward lower chainplate bulkheads. which puts the starboard one almost under the cover molding for the sliding door.
Mine is an 81 model and there is a metal plate buried in the glass around the mast.

Bill1565 · Sep 16, 2013

Pilotocopilot said:
If it's attached with machine screws that are tapped and screwed in then I'll probably leave it depending on the size of machine screws used. Spoke with a couple of sailmakers and the idea from their point of view is do-able with the usual you'll be giving up some off wind performance for the convenience that you'll gain. The option is also there that I'll be able to swap out the Blade for the Yankee when the prevailing winds are more on the beam heading home. Anyone have any experience with a good sailmaker on the eastern seaboard, I've talked to Bacon and Mack so far.

I have no t removed our track, but we have the thru bolts at the ends and no thru bolts between. 79 model. Hull number 36.

Self tending Yankee using the Cutter Track.

Jim Legere

.

Pilotocopilot

.

Jim Legere

.

Pilotocopilot

.

sandpiper10471

.

Bill1565

.

Pilotocopilot

.