Last week while sailing our '01 Hunter 240 the lower stay on the starboard side broke loose from the mast. Wind was blowing about 14 mph, head sail was slightly reefed and I was on a starboard tack. I decided to change direction and as I tacked I heard a loud bang and saw the lower stay on the deck. After motoring to shore I dropped the mast and inspected the place of attachment--everything seemed fine--put the stay back in place and put the mast back up. I have not sailed it yet since the repair. Has anyone had a similar experience? Did I have the stays too tight? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Side stay pulled out
- Thread starter Gary Byers
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similar expirence
I had something similar happen. I was sailing from Hammond Indiana to Chicago and the stay snapped although not in half, just a few of the strands. After looking closely I found that I had kinked the stay when raising the mast because it got caught on the spreader and I tried tightening it when I shouldn't have. I just replaced both sidestays and plan on launching the boat later this week or early next week. They were easy to replace but I still have to tension them properly and I'll let you know how that goes as soon as I get it done. Brad
I had something similar happen. I was sailing from Hammond Indiana to Chicago and the stay snapped although not in half, just a few of the strands. After looking closely I found that I had kinked the stay when raising the mast because it got caught on the spreader and I tried tightening it when I shouldn't have. I just replaced both sidestays and plan on launching the boat later this week or early next week. They were easy to replace but I still have to tension them properly and I'll let you know how that goes as soon as I get it done. Brad
Suspicious
That sound suspicious..how did the stay get loose when nothing broke? The idea of pins and cotter rings is that it shouldnt be able to vibrate loose, the pin or tang or something has to break?
That sound suspicious..how did the stay get loose when nothing broke? The idea of pins and cotter rings is that it shouldnt be able to vibrate loose, the pin or tang or something has to break?
T-ball connector?
Is the H240 the same as the H23.5? My shrouds have T-ball connectors that just fit into slots in the mast. No pins, just a black rubber retainer plug to "prevent the shrouds from falling out of the mast when the mast is lowered", as the manual states. I've never pulled mine out to see how well they stay in. ...RickM...
Is the H240 the same as the H23.5? My shrouds have T-ball connectors that just fit into slots in the mast. No pins, just a black rubber retainer plug to "prevent the shrouds from falling out of the mast when the mast is lowered", as the manual states. I've never pulled mine out to see how well they stay in. ...RickM...
George, I thought my rubber
plugs were too big, but they went in with a lot of persuasion from a small blunt screwdriver. It helps to have some experience driving cotton caulking into wood plank seams with an old fashioned caulking iron. Work the edges in a bit at a time. Now that the rubbet plugs are set, I don't think my T balls will come out. I'll still check them before raising the mast. T ball failure/mast failure could ruin your day.
plugs were too big, but they went in with a lot of persuasion from a small blunt screwdriver. It helps to have some experience driving cotton caulking into wood plank seams with an old fashioned caulking iron. Work the edges in a bit at a time. Now that the rubbet plugs are set, I don't think my T balls will come out. I'll still check them before raising the mast. T ball failure/mast failure could ruin your day.
Thanks
Lots of good advice--thanks for taking the time to respond. George, I have been thinking about pulling the Hunter 240 to Grand T. Bay--perhaps next summer.
Lots of good advice--thanks for taking the time to respond. George, I have been thinking about pulling the Hunter 240 to Grand T. Bay--perhaps next summer.
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