I am considering buying a hunter 240 and have a couple of questions: 1) How difficult is it to raise and lower the mast? 2) Is the mast raising equipment on the trailer or on the boat? 3) One possibility that I have is to get a slip in a marina that is on the other side of a bridge, which requires the ability to step the mast, while under power. - Can the mast be partially stepped with the boom, jib and main in place or do they need to come down. - Does anyone have experience in doing something like this with the boat under way? General comments about how people like the 240, comfort for weekenders, tips, etc. are welcome. More questions to come! Thanks, -k
Stepping the Mast
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I am considering buying a hunter 240 and have a couple of questions: 1) How difficult is it to raise and lower the mast? 2) Is the mast raising equipment on the trailer or on the boat? 3) One possibility that I have is to get a slip in a marina that is on the other side of a bridge, which requires the ability to step the mast, while under power. - Can the mast be partially stepped with the boom, jib and main in place or do they need to come down. - Does anyone have experience in doing something like this with the boat under way? General comments about how people like the 240, comfort for weekenders, tips, etc. are welcome. More questions to come! Thanks, -k
Steping the Mast H240
Here's a checklist for steping the mast on the H260; it is very similar to the H240. Click on the "checklist link" http://www.kobernus.com/hunter260/index.html After you go through the checklist, ask yourself, can I do that everytime I sail - on the water? I would not try it but, then again I'm kinda lazy.
Here's a checklist for steping the mast on the H260; it is very similar to the H240. Click on the "checklist link" http://www.kobernus.com/hunter260/index.html After you go through the checklist, ask yourself, can I do that everytime I sail - on the water? I would not try it but, then again I'm kinda lazy.
Steping the Mast H240
Here's a checklist for steping the mast on the H260; it is very similar to the H240. Click on the "checklist link" http://www.kobernus.com/hunter260/index.html After you go through the checklist, ask yourself, can I do that everytime I sail - on the water? I would not try it but, then again I'm kinda lazy.
Here's a checklist for steping the mast on the H260; it is very similar to the H240. Click on the "checklist link" http://www.kobernus.com/hunter260/index.html After you go through the checklist, ask yourself, can I do that everytime I sail - on the water? I would not try it but, then again I'm kinda lazy.
Great Boat
1. Easy 2. On the boat 3. I have lowered the mast and raised it with the boom attached nad raised the mast on the water but not at the same time. I think if you had help pushing the mast up it would be possible. Boat works very well for a couple of adults and a couple of kids for a weekend.
1. Easy 2. On the boat 3. I have lowered the mast and raised it with the boom attached nad raised the mast on the water but not at the same time. I think if you had help pushing the mast up it would be possible. Boat works very well for a couple of adults and a couple of kids for a weekend.
Great Boat
1. Easy 2. On the boat 3. I have lowered the mast and raised it with the boom attached nad raised the mast on the water but not at the same time. I think if you had help pushing the mast up it would be possible. Boat works very well for a couple of adults and a couple of kids for a weekend.
1. Easy 2. On the boat 3. I have lowered the mast and raised it with the boom attached nad raised the mast on the water but not at the same time. I think if you had help pushing the mast up it would be possible. Boat works very well for a couple of adults and a couple of kids for a weekend.
stepping everytime....
I really think you should consider long and hard about the marina with overhead obstuctions. although the mast steps nicely with the mainsheet, it could become more than just a pain to step every time you go out and return. in best conditions its work ...what about trying to get to your slip with weather building or god forbid someone injured... I have an overhead obstruction near my prefered boat ramp...and actually have made up a sign to remind me everytime i retrieve the boat... it only takes on time for damage or injury.
I really think you should consider long and hard about the marina with overhead obstuctions. although the mast steps nicely with the mainsheet, it could become more than just a pain to step every time you go out and return. in best conditions its work ...what about trying to get to your slip with weather building or god forbid someone injured... I have an overhead obstruction near my prefered boat ramp...and actually have made up a sign to remind me everytime i retrieve the boat... it only takes on time for damage or injury.
stepping everytime....
I really think you should consider long and hard about the marina with overhead obstuctions. although the mast steps nicely with the mainsheet, it could become more than just a pain to step every time you go out and return. in best conditions its work ...what about trying to get to your slip with weather building or god forbid someone injured... I have an overhead obstruction near my prefered boat ramp...and actually have made up a sign to remind me everytime i retrieve the boat... it only takes on time for damage or injury.
I really think you should consider long and hard about the marina with overhead obstuctions. although the mast steps nicely with the mainsheet, it could become more than just a pain to step every time you go out and return. in best conditions its work ...what about trying to get to your slip with weather building or god forbid someone injured... I have an overhead obstruction near my prefered boat ramp...and actually have made up a sign to remind me everytime i retrieve the boat... it only takes on time for damage or injury.
Not me
My 23.5 is very similar to your 240. Do you have a furler on the jib? I have a Schaefer Snapfurl. There's no way I could lower and raise the mast without dropping tools or parts into the water, even before I added the furler. I can't get the pin out of the forestay without removing the cotter pins and loosening the turnbuckle. If it was just a matter of the one clevis pin, it would certainly be better, but as Charles pointed out, imagine if you had to get to the slip in a hurry or under bad conditions. I wouldn't take a slip like that for free, but that's just me. ...RickM...
My 23.5 is very similar to your 240. Do you have a furler on the jib? I have a Schaefer Snapfurl. There's no way I could lower and raise the mast without dropping tools or parts into the water, even before I added the furler. I can't get the pin out of the forestay without removing the cotter pins and loosening the turnbuckle. If it was just a matter of the one clevis pin, it would certainly be better, but as Charles pointed out, imagine if you had to get to the slip in a hurry or under bad conditions. I wouldn't take a slip like that for free, but that's just me. ...RickM...
Not me
My 23.5 is very similar to your 240. Do you have a furler on the jib? I have a Schaefer Snapfurl. There's no way I could lower and raise the mast without dropping tools or parts into the water, even before I added the furler. I can't get the pin out of the forestay without removing the cotter pins and loosening the turnbuckle. If it was just a matter of the one clevis pin, it would certainly be better, but as Charles pointed out, imagine if you had to get to the slip in a hurry or under bad conditions. I wouldn't take a slip like that for free, but that's just me. ...RickM...
My 23.5 is very similar to your 240. Do you have a furler on the jib? I have a Schaefer Snapfurl. There's no way I could lower and raise the mast without dropping tools or parts into the water, even before I added the furler. I can't get the pin out of the forestay without removing the cotter pins and loosening the turnbuckle. If it was just a matter of the one clevis pin, it would certainly be better, but as Charles pointed out, imagine if you had to get to the slip in a hurry or under bad conditions. I wouldn't take a slip like that for free, but that's just me. ...RickM...
easy
I have a 240 that I normally sail alone. Being alone, I cannot step the mast under way, but with someone to steer it would be possible. I tried it with the boom on once and felt like I needed a new back afterward. It just adds to much weight to the mast. I have marked the jib sheet for the optimum place to have it when raising or lower the masts with a magic marker. The other thing I do, is to tension the turnbuckles with bungee cord looped around the lifelines. I leave these connected all the time. After you bend a couple of t-bolts you'll understand. Those things aren't cheap to replace. I replaced the pin in the forward stay with a detent pin(little locking ball in the end) makes it a lot easier to slide in. The mast lowers into the mast crutch with no problem. If you are going to be raising and lowering this a lot, just leave the crutch in place. It makes a handy place to tie the tiller up out of the way.
I have a 240 that I normally sail alone. Being alone, I cannot step the mast under way, but with someone to steer it would be possible. I tried it with the boom on once and felt like I needed a new back afterward. It just adds to much weight to the mast. I have marked the jib sheet for the optimum place to have it when raising or lower the masts with a magic marker. The other thing I do, is to tension the turnbuckles with bungee cord looped around the lifelines. I leave these connected all the time. After you bend a couple of t-bolts you'll understand. Those things aren't cheap to replace. I replaced the pin in the forward stay with a detent pin(little locking ball in the end) makes it a lot easier to slide in. The mast lowers into the mast crutch with no problem. If you are going to be raising and lowering this a lot, just leave the crutch in place. It makes a handy place to tie the tiller up out of the way.
No penalties for piling on....
You do not want a slip on the inside of an overhead obstruction. The mast raising system can be dealt with easily on the water - but not underway - that is asking for trouble. Sailing is supposed to be fun.
You do not want a slip on the inside of an overhead obstruction. The mast raising system can be dealt with easily on the water - but not underway - that is asking for trouble. Sailing is supposed to be fun.
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