I have not yet been able to confirm if this was completed. I will continue to dig through the old records however can some one clear up what I am looking for a how to objectively determine if it was completed.
What mast recall ???
No idea. Was asked by a “potential buyer” thank you that should have been listed in the question as well as an option.
I was not there at the time but I believe prior to 1985 some masts were recalled that had the sail track riveted all the way down. These holes and others near the deck were causing crack problems.
Replacement masts had no holes drilled near he deck and the lower 15 feet or so of sail track was screwed to an aluminum pad which in turn was strapped to the mast.
If your mast does not have the straps it has not been recalled but of course I may be wrong.
Also there is a document on the nonsuch.org that may be worth a read. Mast maintenance:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1alAzZnkGoir92ILlwhN_qIAZERw1S9K0/view?usp=drive_web
Tom
26C #28
Penetanguishene
Sorry George, I can’t tell you if the recall was completed.
I am attaching a letter from Hinterhoeller Yachts to the original owner of La Reina 26C, hull 2068, written in March of 1986 outlining the recall program for the masts. The documents I have indicate the mast was replaced by January 1987. The Spring 1985 Update at page 6 has an article on the masts, Hinterhoeller’s undertaking to dye test all existing masts and maintenance information. This appears to be a summary of the document that Tom Schoenhofer referenced in his response.
Hopefully some of the long time owners will have more information.
Mark Powers
La Reina 26C
Vancouver, B.C.
(attachments)
Mast Replacement.pdf (1.99 MB)
The INA web site has the info regarding masts
My boat a 30C #170 is not effected but very impressive customer service.
Bob D
Thanks for the response. I went looking for the information on the ina website to no avail. Will look some more later.
Going on 10 year old memory here (when I had a 30U) but thought early on a problem developed with masts so they actually failed.
One story was a couple sailed across Atlantic, hired a crew to bring boat back, mast actually broke. Crew was taken off boat which was subsequently found in Brazil.
I would LOVE to have my memory corroborated and more details.
Brooks Bridges
Cambridge MD
NS22OB An B’ad
Mark, thanks for copying the letter.
I have a copy of correspondence from this chain of letters for the mast replacement, in the docs for my boat Misty Cat This a a great reminder of the quality of post-purchase customer service provided by Hinterhoeller Yachts and indicative of their overall approach to their business of boat building - quality product and customer focus. I grew up in St. Catharines, not far from the Hinterhoeller operations. I have owned, since 2002, the boat my parents got in 1984. and kept at Dalhousie Yacht Club. My dad was a contemporary of George Hinterhoeller. He told me at the time of the mast replacement program that Mr Hinterhoeller did this entirely voluntarily at the company’s own cost of several million dollars - at the time that was a lot of money.
In the case of Misty Cat the analyzed problem was a weakness due to the transverse pin, through the mast directly under the deck, which held the mast down into the boat. In the case of Misty Cat, the whole lower section of the mast was replaced, with an under-deck rod stay and turnbuckle securing it to the starboard bulkhead. We now know that there should be no perforations in the mast anywhere near the mast partner or near the spline joint connecting the upper and lower sections.
I continue to love my Nonsuch 26. I also have recently resuscitated a 1980 Niagara 35, designed by Mark Ellis and built by Hinterhoeller. Don’t ask me why. These days I have plenty of time to labour over both of them.
Greg Silver
Misty Cat, 26C #121
also No Rush II Niagara 35C #68
Cape Breton
Greg,
I was wading through the documents after I sent in my last post. A copy of the inspection report sent to Hinterhoeller indicated that there were no cracks at the deck pin hole and no cracks at the wire exit 21" below the deck. This was after four years of use. Notwithstanding this George Hinterhoeller still sent a new mast. My understanding was that an entire new mast was sent not just the lower half.
A Nonsuch and a Niagara! I think you are ready to become an honourary member of the Nonsuch Niagara North West Association.
Mark Powers
La Reina 26C
Vancouver, B.C.
Chair of the NNNW Association
Mark,
You have a hybrid Niagara/Nonsuch Association? It sounds warm and homey like.
Greg Silver
Misty Cat, etc
Greg -
Apparently, Mark is a founding member of many fascinating associations.
Ernie A. in Toronto
Ernie,
I would like to claim credit for being a founding member but that would be wrong. The NNNW Association was around for many years before I bought La Reina. It dates back to the very early 1980’s. I believe Susan Kidd, Paul Shield and Dick York are founding members.
This is getting off the subject line but I wanted to correct the record.
Mark Powers
La Reina 26C
Vancouver, B.C.