H240 Stuck Keel Removal Tip

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SolentHunter

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May 1, 2021
15
Hunter 240 Southampton
I've read into the process of replacing the keel lifting line before taking on the task and correct me if I'm wrong but haven't found anyone mention this method of removing a stuck keel so thought it would be worth sharing.

Having lifted the boat, undone the bolt the keel would not budge no later how much 3 of us pushed, pulled, wiggled. In the end I went inside the boat and looking down through the bolt hole could see the flat top of the metal housing, I positioned a piece of bar on here and tapped it down with a lump hammer. Obviously being super careful of the threaded bolt hole and everything else around it.
It was very easy and a controlled method, gradually knocking it out with friends catching it as it came free.

It worked great so may just help you too. Happy to stand corrected if there are pitfuls in this process which I have overlooked.
 
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Crazy Dave Condon

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Jun 8, 2004
10,499
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Look under boat info of the hunter 26 with a desorption removing the centerboard It is the bracket that is stuck. Read that first and advise when that is done. Include my name so I know and we can go from there. Advise if the stainless steel bolt 3/4 inch thread had been removed
 
GL-WindPower

GL-WindPower

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Jul 24, 2012
45
Hunter 240 Muskegon
SolentHunter said:
I've read into the process of replacing the keel lifting line before taking on the task and correct me if I'm wrong but haven't found anyone mention this method of removing a stuck keel so thought it would be worth sharing.

Having lifted the boat, undone the bolt the keel would not budge no later how much 3 of us pushed, pulled, wiggled. In the end I went inside the boat and looking down through the bolt hole could see the flat top of the metal housing, I positioned a piece of bar on here and tapped it down with a lump hammer. Obviously being super careful of the threaded bolt hole and everything else around it.
It was very easy and a controlled method, gradually knocking it out with friends catching it as it came free.

It worked great so may just help you too. Happy to stand corrected if there are pitfuls in this process which I have overlooked.
Click to expand
Yup, I had to do something very similar. I had the boat on blocks and Jack stands about 36” off the floor. I purchased a piece of threaded rod which I threaded into the keel bracket and added a couple of nuts at the other end of the rod. I used a hammer and tapped on the threaded rod and the bracket came loose. I also had someone below wiggling the keel. The nuts I had on the threaded rod prevented the keel from completely dropping to the ground on on top of the person doing the wiggling . I used the opportunity to strip, seal and bottom paint the keel a keel well (tip 1:go light on the paint where the bracket is located). Tip2: I used the threaded rod as a guide to reinstall the keel and align the bracket threads with the bolt hole. New lifting line and Rudder have been working well now for 4 yrs.
 
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Likes: SolentHunter and Crazy Dave Condon
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Crazy Dave Condon

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Jun 8, 2004
10,499
-na -NA Anywhere USA
@GL-WindPower
Excellent advice sir. It is the bracket itself that it is tight. The top portion of the centerboard housing area is above the waterline. Suggest not paint the grooves where the bracket goes into the housing two inches above the water line. You can tell where the water line inside the housing by the scum line
 
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