Genoa Car Problems - Hunter Europa

[Little Rascal]

I've had an ongoing saga with one of my genoa car/tracks on my Hunter Europa.

One of the wing nuts was always a bit stiff and required a pair of pliers to tighten. Anyway at the end of last year I managed to break the wing nut leaving the nut tightened down. After a few attempts to remove it in a marina we jury rigged with a block and carried on sailing...

Approximately 9 months later (I know, I know!) I managed to source a screw remover in an attempt to drill it out and remove it. Anyway the short version of the story is I now have a hardened steel stub of broken screw remover also stuck in there!!!

(The attachments show the damaged car and the good one)


I'm loathe to replace the whole lot since a new set of track and cars will set me back at least £120 (about 10% of the boats value!) and I like the original Hunter set up anyway.

My options seem to be:

1. Drill out the hole and re tap it for a standard bolt/wing nut (not sure what will cut the screw remover though - a normal drill bit hardly touched it)

2. Beg,/borrow/steal/buy and original Hunter genoa car, grind off the dud one and start again.

3. Fit a complete set of new tracks and cars - seems a bit overkill....

Has anyone got an old spare Europa (or compatible) genoa car I would be able to purchase? The fitting has the engraving 'Barton England 332' but Barton obviously no longer make it?


Or any other ideas?

Thanks!
Jon

 

[Kelpie]

When you say a 'normal' drill bit, what do you mean? There's a big difference between a cobalt bit and a normal HSS.
I'd get a small diameter but good quality cobalt drill bit, and a centre punch, and have another go at drilling it out. Go dead slow, using loads of pressure, so that you are cutting into the steel rather than simply grinding and making heat.

Apologies if teaching grannies to suck eggs

 

[Lakesailor]

Unless the car is covering a screw I would suggest you need to take the track off the boat. Any little engineering workshop will be able to do it then.

 

[William_H]

Options that come to mind.... As said remove the track to the workshop where a pedestal drill might give you a better chance of drilling out the stud remover. (called ezyout?)
Failing that I would try to remove that whole post with the thread in it. Big multigrips might just twist it off. Or try cutting the post off witha hack saw. Or a cold chisel.
Or get an angle grinder witha narrow blade and cut the post off either flush or vertical slot. Anything to destroy the post with the bolt and remover still in.
If you succeed in getting the car free you can think about a replacement. Or better to set up a remote control for the car (and its mate). Use a tackle at the front to pull itforward and bungee or another tackle to pull it back. Makes adjustment really easy from the cockpit when reducing or increasing furling jib area.
Or once sliding a small screw tapped inmight just drop in the hole to stop it moving. There is not much force trying to slide the car once load is applied by jib sheet. good luck olewill

 

[TradewindSailor]

On possibility is to use a centre or small punch to focus a hammer blow on the remains of the extractor ...... which should then shatter. You should then be able to drill through the mass of the old screw and remove the remains.

 

[oilyrag]

Hi Jon
I've got a spare one which is intact but the wingnut is seized in the bush and the bush turns (!) I'm sure it could be sorted out fairly easily if you have to trash yours - you're welcome to it for the cost of postage. PM me if interested. Mike

 

[JumbleDuck]

Has anyone got an old spare Europa (or compatible) genoa car I would be able to purchase? The fitting has the engraving 'Barton England 332' but Barton obviously no longer make it?

I'm sure I have one of these lying around, from my 490. I'll have a look on Sunday and let you know if I can find it.

 

[Little Rascal]

Hi all, thanks for the replies and apologies for the delay - couldn't log in for a few days...

Phil, unfortunately the car is stuck over a track screw and cant be slid along. It's not stuck but the nut is sat in the track screw recess!

I think the best option will be to grind off the old car and get a replacement.

I've now had a few offers for the old part, so thanks Mike and Ian - if the other arrangements don't work out I will be in touch! Very much appreciate the help!


Jon

 

[Lakesailor]

Ah. that's a bugger.

 

[sailorman]

cant you get a hacksaw blade between the car body & the track

 

[JumbleDuck]

I think the best option will be to grind off the old car and get a replacement.

I've now had a few offers for the old part, so thanks Mike and Ian - if the other arrangements don't work out I will be in touch! Very much appreciate the help

Could you get at the track mounting screw from below and grind the head off it to remove the whole thing? I have the track from the 490 as well, somewhere, though it may not be long enough for the Europa.

 

[Little Rascal]

I'm hopeful I can get the car off without damaging the track... we'll see.