Y Strut Installation

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CapeMaySailor

CapeMaySailor

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Jan 12, 2009
13
Hunter 340 Cape May
I'm about to replace a Y strut with one I salvaged from an '84 Hunter which I had to sawzall out of the boat. My questions is; does anyone have any suggestions as to removing the old strut and instralling the new one given the very tight area where the bolt nuts are located? It is impossible to get into that area. Prior to removing the salvaged strut, I was hoping the struts were screwed in as opposed to bolted.
 
Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

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Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
Well you would not want a strut that was not bolted. You will have to get in there with help from a friend, maybe a small and skinny one. It is going to take two to get the old strut out of there. You might use a multi-tool and saw off the bolts between the strut and the hull. That will require you to repair the fiberglass. Then you still have to get in there to install the new one.
 
Cool_Change

Cool_Change

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Dec 27, 2004
139
Hunter 340 Burlington, Ontario, Canada
When we had our '81 h27 I had to remove the strut once in order to take it home and replace the cutlass bearing.

You can just reach the nuts on the inside (be prepared to skin a few nuckles and be patient) and you'll need someone outside to either hold the bolt or to turn it while you hold inside. Creativity required but it can be done!

Use lots of 5200 when you replace and be very careful with the alignment.

PS. While you're in there it's a good time to check your steering cable for chafing...ALL the way to both ends where it connects to the chain. Not that I found a collection of cable strands by my strut bolts that lead to a discovery of this sort or anything! ;-)
 
Manny

Manny

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Oct 5, 2006
983
Hunter 82? 37 Cutter Wherever the wind takes me
I cut an access plate in the back of my quarter berth to get to below the pedastal, and found that the access to the bolts for the strut weren't to far away. You may be just fine reaching in with a long wrench, but you definitely need a second person outside with a giant flathead to keep the screw from spinning.

M
 
Cool_Change

Cool_Change

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Dec 27, 2004
139
Hunter 340 Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Interesting....yours didn't have the quarter berth access panel already there? As I recall I could just barely reach the strut laying in the berth with my arm thru the panel. As a result this operation is pretty much all done by feel.
 
M

MLampner

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Aug 23, 2009
361
Hunter 30 Middle River MD
On a 77 30 I was able to reach them easily after I climbed into the lazerette. Getting in isn't to bad getting back out is harder as you can not, at least at 6'1 and 225lb, could not get my legs back under me to help lift me out.
 
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