Stanchion/Lifeline

[Robert 47]

I need to replace 1, maybe 2 stanchions on our 87 Hunter 31. I have looked on line at some of the suppliers, but non have this perticular type available. Will be calling Torrenson Marine and Garhauer today to see if they have something close to OE.
Started to adjust the lower lifeline so the pelican hook wouldn't be so hard to close on the gate, and found that the life line doesn't move loosely in the hole on the stanchion. So no slack can be had at the hook and gate.
These stanchions don't have base plates, just small steel fingers that come out and screwed down to the deck. If you have a Hunter you will know what I am saying.
So, the question is has anyone had to replace a stanchion like this before, and where did you get the part. Thanks for all replys, and keep up the good work. This is the best site I have encountered for Hunter sailors.

Robert 47

 

[Steve Dion]

Robert:

I assume that you have a 86 or 87 model H'31. The early models had a completely different stanchion arrangement. There was an extrusion that the stanchion fit into.

I think if you send one of your stanchions to Garhauer, they can come very close to mfg something for you.

I think that you mounting method is with a stud welded into the base of the stanchion and then a loop goes around the tube that screws into the deck. I would suggest that you over drill the deck screws and fill with epoxy to prevent water from getting into the deck.

 

[sailor.fred]

Robert, do your stantions look like this? These are on my 1991 30T and I had a similiar problem just this spring. If they are similiar I willl try and describe my problem and how I fixed it. Regards.

 

[Steve Dion]

Fred:

I think they are similar, but they do not have the plastic cap on top, I think they an eye.

 

[Dean Strong]

Fred,

I have an H30G and a broken stantion, and would love to know how you fixed yours.

 

[sailor.fred]

Okay, here is my story. I live in eastern Canada and the boat comes out of the water each Fall, has a framed winter cover installed, is winterized and basically goes into deep freeze for the next 4+ months. This Spring I, like Robert, found that the port side lifelines were tight and went about adjusting the pelican hook. That’s when I discovered that the lower lifeline was jammed in one of the stantion holes. I took the whole lot, both sides and all stantions home to work on them. I found that when I removed the large bolt that goes through the toe rail into the base of the stantion proper that water drained out of several of them.

When I looked closely at the jammed lifeline where it goes through the stantion I noticed that the plastic insert that acts as a bushing inside the lifeline at the lifeline hole was pushed vertically upward and dragged the lifeline up into the stantion, jamming everything nicely. The metal around the hole was also split starting at the hole and ran about ½ inch down the stantion. Prying the plug down didn’t work so I ended up carefully drilling out the plastic plug enough to free the lifeline enough that I could remove it.

Once the lifeline was removed intact, minus the plastic covering where it was jammed, then I could fix the stantion. I re-drilled the hole in the plastic plug to the proper size since I could not move it. The stantions were locally “cold formed” (with a ball pein hammer) where necessary to close the split and basically make them round again. I then used the shank of a large drift to countersink re-form the lifeline holes on both sides of the stantion. Looked “almost” like new. I had to do this fix to three of the six stantions, two on one side of the boat and one on the other.

The lifeline coating looked pretty shabby in this area after they were extracted from inside the stantions, but since the wire itself was not damaged, I used a pull wire looped through the locking hole on the threaded end of the lifeline and pulled the entire length of each lifeline through a ¼ inch ID plastic pipe. The OD of this pipe was exactly the same size as the holes in the stantions. Looks like new again.

Before I replaced the stations on the boat I drilled ¼ inch drain holes inboard about 1 inch from the bottom to prevent any further water build-up inside the stantions.

After all was said and done, it looks like some water was trapped inside the stantion last Fall and froze, displacing the lifeline bushing plug up and jammed the wire. I’ve never had this happen before and was quite surprized to find this. Anyway, since I was so PO’ed at the time I did not take any pictures and document the whole exercise (like Maine Sail would have done I’m sure).

Hope this description is helpful. Regards, Fred.

 

[Robert 47]

Thanks Fred and Steve for your advice. The boat is a 1987 Hunter 31, one of the last hulls laid up. The cold winter freeze seems to be the reason I have the same problem. Very good info Fred. My stanchions look like yours. But mine have rubber/plastic caps on them.
Also while anchoring out last weekend another boat lost power and with the wind and current on the river, hit us and bent the stanchion in this pic. Unfortunately, you can't buy these mounts anywhere. Poles, yes you can. Guess if one breaks, I will have to take to a fabrication shop to make another one. Thanks guys for the input. I follow this forum all the time. A world of information here.

 

[Steve Dion]

I would suggest that you contact Garhauer Marine and see if they can match what you have. These guys have the ability to make most anything/any style.

You should speak with Mark, he can help you out. You will probably want to ship him a sample.