Stanchion poles scraping piers

[John Blakely]

I have a l985 Hunter 31. Excellent boat overall; but the stanchion poles are positioned about 15 to 20 degrees outward of the rub rails. When docking, the stanchions frequently rub piers bending somewhat, scraping up the life lines, and may be slightly opening the deck to hull joint. I have heard slight cracking when walking around the deck areas near the stanchions, noticed epoxy repair holes near the stanchions, and when purchased, had my surveyor flag high moisture content around the stanchions. My questions are: 1) has anyone else noticed this problem, 2) If so, what have you done if anything, and 3) anyone know if stock stantions that bed in the current rail holders, and go straight up, are available. I realize that I can and may have to, this winter, have them bend or new ones fabricated. Much thanks for your input.

 

[Paul Akers]

Contact Hunter

I think you could get your answer if you contacted Hunter. There may be replacements that you can use. Possibly a previous owner replaced with the incorrect stanchions.

 

[Gene]

same on my H-34

The stanchions are the same on my H-34. I have bent one badly and had to get a new one...of course it didnt match the other ones! I got another one straightened out that I bent when docking. I have just learned to be more careful and to take the stanchions off when the boat is hauled as I had one bent by the lift.

 

[Michael O'Mara]

H31 stanchion design flaw

Don't bother contacting Hunter about the Hunter 31 and Hunter 34 stanchion problem. They have chosen to ignore the design flaw for many years now, but corrected the problem in later models.For the unfamiliar, the problem is that all the stanchions on the deck on the early Hunter 31 and Hunter 34 models were canted (or lean) overboard. Everytime you pull up to a dock or pier with spiles, the stanchions are ready to rip off or bend when the catch on the nearest fixed object. That means every docking maneuver requires a truly soft touch.Hunter should have replaced every one of the stanchions with new poles that didn't lean overboard. They know it was a corporate design flaw, you now know the very same thing.

 

[Mike Cummings]

stanchion

I have the same problem, and have solved it somewhat. Purchased two large fenders and mount them at the two rail near the widest part of the boat that is near a stanchion. This way even if you get pushed into the piling the fender will be take the hit. Just make sure the fender is wide enoung to extend out past the stanchion. Do not attach to the stanchion or it defeats the purpose.Hope this helps.Mike

 

[Jim McCue]

outward stantions

I have 28.5 and at dock we tie up to 2 poles about mid-ship.I use 2 heavy duty "stretchies" to provide some give in a storm but also had problem when a Noreaster hits the Jersey shore, that the rocking causes the risk of stantion bending and toe rail rubbing on the leeward pole.So what I did was to get 2 large fenders and hang a Wolmanized 2x4 across them to creater an "H" format. . It keeps me off the poles and saves the toes rail from friction. I use the jib cars appropriately located to hook up the fenders. Might work for you too.