Hunter Medina mast foot/ heel.

[everton]

Hi all,
The mast heel on my Hunter Medina has snapped, and I can't seem to locate a replacement. Is it feasable to replace the mast heel etc with a hinged type ? The mast sways from side to side when raising / lowering, and I think that a hinged arrangement would prevent this happening. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

 

[aquaplane]

If the mast is moving from side to side a lot, you aren't doing it right. There have been several threads about stepping masts, it may be worth searching for them.

What make of mast is it?

I have always stepped masts with a bolt through the mast foot moulding and a plate on the deck, these are more or less standard parts.

An alternative is to use a tabernacle.

Another alternative is to have a hinge made, one side fastened to the deck the other side fastened to the mast foot. They usually hinge at the back edge.

 

[Lakesailor]

You could do to post a picture. Lots of boats use different arrangements during their production life.

 

[VicS]

Hi all,
The mast heel on my Hunter Medina has snapped, and I can't seem to locate a replacement. Is it feasable to replace the mast heel etc with a hinged type ? The mast sways from side to side when raising / lowering, and I think that a hinged arrangement would prevent this happening. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

The pictures below show one type of "hinged" mast step fitted to small boats.

It would not withstand a mast swinging from side to side while stepping, The only type that might is a full tabernacle.

 

[croasdaile]

Medina broken mast heel

Hi all,
The mast heel on my Hunter Medina has snapped, and I can't seem to locate a replacement. Is it feasable to replace the mast heel etc with a hinged type ? The mast sways from side to side when raising / lowering, and I think that a hinged arrangement would prevent this happening. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks.

I sail a Hunter Medina and had exactly the same problem as you describe. I was stepping the mast, shorthanded and on a windy day when one of the cast aluminium lugs (drilled to take the bolt) broke. I was able to get the broken lug built up by aluminium welding and re-machined. Cost £12 and now as good as new.
Hope this helps.