Bergstrom & Ridder

[Fonz]

Hi there,
I'm new to this forum and currently looking into making a bid on a 1999 Hunter 310. The schip looks allright and I'm still waiting to get it checked by a pro. The only thing I could see with my inexperienced eye (especially for Hunter and the B&R rigging) was that the struts which connect the mast with the deck. I believe the correct terms are the connection between the gooseneck and chainplate.

On the Hunter I'm looking at these struts are missing, but I suppose these struts used to be there. All online photo's of this Hunter 310 type show them and it looks like the fittings are still in place. I still have to talk to the owner about this. In the meantime I would appreciate if anyone would have any information in this subject. Are these struts optional? Would it pose potential problems or dangers sailing without these struts? Are these struts still available for (re)sale?

I'm looking forward to your comments. Thanks for the support in advance.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Fonz.

[skipmac]

I have sailed a couple of Hunters but not the 310 and they did not have these struts. I had to look at an online photo to see them.

Not sure why they are installed but I have to think that if Hunter put them on the boat they did so for a good reason, especially since they to appear to be in a very inconvenient place.

I think the boat would be OK in light conditions but would not want to go out in strong winds or large seas without the struts.

[GordMay]

According to this Hunter brochure < http://bradcrabtree.com/Site/brochur...chures/310.pdf >, the “mast struts & reverse diagonals” are there to provide strength allowing for a smaller section mast. This is, IMHO, engineering on the edge, and I certainly wouldn’t sail this boat without them.