What Is This?

[GorillaToast]

1981 Hunter 27 Cherubini Does anyone know what this tongue of raised fiberglass aft of the mast step is for? I would like to install a large pad eye there to attach Cunningham and boom vang blocks. Is there likely an aluminum plate embedded there? Thanks.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Tap gently with a rubber mallet. Only YOU will be able to hear the results. We can't from here... No clue why, but it's there, so it's a reality, right?

 

[rufus1138]

its unlikely that its got any metal there, i had an 81 h27t, if someone has re-done the mast step area in the past, or if it sounds like the coring is wet then i would hope it would be /was re-done with resin impregnated foam core, thats what mine had and it was solid as colorado bedrock, i would be totally confident putting a pad eye in my old 27t, however i went with a dual continuous line mainsheet system that removed the need for a vang, and the cunningham was a moot point since the boat doesnt race phrf just use the halyard. i would spend more energy making sure the step is solid and working up your reefing system.

 

[GorillaToast]

Stu, I'll have some of what you're having!

It looks like it came from the factory the way. Some sort of reinforce ment for the area of the mast step. Tongues also extend on both sides.

 

[GorillaToast]

rufus1138'
Do you have a picture of your mainsheet setup? I think mine is the factory set up with 3blocks at mid-boom,and spring blocks on the coach roof.

 

[rufus1138]

ill try to upload a pic tonight, uses one bail on the boom and the same hardpoints on the cabin top, attach blocks to the cabin top with snap shackles so they can me moved to make a blow-out preventer/vang at the toe rail for downwind work, use 2ea fiddle blocks on the boom, 2ea fiddle blocks with becket and cam cleats on the cabin top, run line thru it and yer set, makes upwind work very very precise, easy to trim from in front of the wheel and could be made to have guides or some other devise to hold the lines ready for you at the wheel if singlehanding. if you have a wheel lock you could steer the boat with the mainsheet while on longer runs very easily.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Stu, I'll have some of what you're having!

I think it was the Gorilla Toast with the caffine.

 

[Benny17441]

Drill a small hole in the fiberglass and check. Place a piece of masking type and drill through it to prevent the fiberglass from chipping. Fill it with epoxy later.

 

[GorillaToast]

Thanks! Maybe I'll wait on the Cunningham and vang until I get new sails, and try either a traveler or Rufus' mainsheet idea before I drill any holes or attach any new hardware.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Drill a small hole in the fiberglass and check. Place a piece of masking type and drill through it to prevent the fiberglass from chipping. Fill it with epoxy later.

Benny's right. again, but have the drill go backwards first to avoid chipping the fg.

 

[braol]

Regardless of what might be underneath I would only add a padeye with a suitable backing-plate and through-bolting. I am almost sure that there is no aluminum under there.

 

[ggrizzard]

FWIW... Hunter used plywood to beef-up the mast step/winch areas. Many of us have had to dig out rotted plywood and fiberglass and rebuild the area.

 

[rufus1138]

sorry i didnt get pics last night, we had a lot of rain and i never got the chance to go over to the old girl, trying again tonight.

 

[GorillaToast]

Ok. Thanks rufus1138.