Has anyone ever replaced their keel pin on a Hunter 216? it is not broken, but I do have some wobbling side to side while sailing and I'd rather do some preventative maintenance to the 15 year old keel pin so I don't have to find out what loosing a keel while sailing feels like. I have the new pin and two circular plastic bushings? Does anyone have and photos or experience for this job specifically for the Hunter 216? I'm having a forklift pull the keel next month and I don't want to waste my time or theirs.
Also, how do you get the keel out? I don't want to lift the boat off the trailer so I'm thinking using Amsteel line tied to the end of the wire for lifting the keel then tied off to the steel plate where the hydraulic lift attaches so the keel doesn't swing down while its being lifted out. I do not want to keep the hydraulic pump in while its being lifted out because I don't want it to get damaged. I'll also build a little cradle for the keel to rest on while I take the metal frame off to replace the pin.
Again, any pictures or words of wisdom is appreciated. Please note that any experience replacing the keel pin on a Catalina 22 or an O'day is really not going to help me. They are completely different designs and require completely different methods. I'm specifically looking for Hunter 216 advice.
Thank you
Also, how do you get the keel out? I don't want to lift the boat off the trailer so I'm thinking using Amsteel line tied to the end of the wire for lifting the keel then tied off to the steel plate where the hydraulic lift attaches so the keel doesn't swing down while its being lifted out. I do not want to keep the hydraulic pump in while its being lifted out because I don't want it to get damaged. I'll also build a little cradle for the keel to rest on while I take the metal frame off to replace the pin.
Again, any pictures or words of wisdom is appreciated. Please note that any experience replacing the keel pin on a Catalina 22 or an O'day is really not going to help me. They are completely different designs and require completely different methods. I'm specifically looking for Hunter 216 advice.
Thank you