Hi everyone - the 216 forum has been fairly dry lately anyone sailing their 216's lately as spring takes hold?
Anyone sailing 216 Lately?
- Thread starter Paul Wash
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I hope to get mine out for the first time this season in the next couple of weeks. I'm booked up this weekend, though...
Soon I hope.
My next few weekends are busy, but I hope to clean up the boat and get it in the water before the middle of May.
My next few weekends are busy, but I hope to clean up the boat and get it in the water before the middle of May.
Was going to sail mine yesterday. Got it all rigged and ready to go, came out to go sailing for first time this year and noticed keel in down position on the lift. The keel actually pull apart where the clevis and pin connect to it.
Now I need to get this 500lb mass into the up position to just get it off the lift to a trailor to start the process of replair or replacement. Anyone with ideas on what to do is appreciated. Anyone experienced or heard of this happening anywhere. The cable in ok, in fact, I have heard of those splitting up, but I really baby it. So this is really strange or IS IT? Thanks in advance, our sailing season in Minnesota is short enough than to have to wait for a keel fix.
Now I need to get this 500lb mass into the up position to just get it off the lift to a trailor to start the process of replair or replacement. Anyone with ideas on what to do is appreciated. Anyone experienced or heard of this happening anywhere. The cable in ok, in fact, I have heard of those splitting up, but I really baby it. So this is really strange or IS IT? Thanks in advance, our sailing season in Minnesota is short enough than to have to wait for a keel fix.
Yep - Mine happened the 1st season
I have a 2004 that i got in 2007. The pin in my centerboard pulled right through the lead. Called Hunter and they took care of it except the haul out charge.
Why it happens is because of a poor design - I believe they've altered the newer ones slightly. The primary cause however is too much stress on the pin through the board - either from the hydraulic over tightened or other weakness in that area. We tried to lasso the board in the water with no luck and a few other things until I was wondering why i was bothering with it...
So...I actually sailed with mine down for about a month...Sure it swings forward when going over waves/etc. and there is no forgiveness hitting a shoal...The only "ill" effect woudl be not being able to raise it on downwind course...but unless you are racing probably not a huge issue.
I keep mine in the water...but I heard of folks getting it on their trailers with the board down and using the trailer bunk to "raise" it...
The new design was a chunk cut out and a "d-ring" bolted into the lead. Its a crummy job and it has to be hauled to do it. It take 3 resources and a crane to deal with the board and not drop it on your deck. It took them a few hours across 2 days to do it. Hunter will say it goes much faster, but the guys actually doing the work would disagree.
On a positive note - the new installation was much better looking. Plus they cleaned up the trunk and drew a "dummy" line to match the cable location...lol - helps the folks who are cranking for me. Rest assured its much better when its all done.
Call Hunter ASAP and talk to Kyle (I think its Kyle)...
I have a 2004 that i got in 2007. The pin in my centerboard pulled right through the lead. Called Hunter and they took care of it except the haul out charge.
Why it happens is because of a poor design - I believe they've altered the newer ones slightly. The primary cause however is too much stress on the pin through the board - either from the hydraulic over tightened or other weakness in that area. We tried to lasso the board in the water with no luck and a few other things until I was wondering why i was bothering with it...
So...I actually sailed with mine down for about a month...Sure it swings forward when going over waves/etc. and there is no forgiveness hitting a shoal...The only "ill" effect woudl be not being able to raise it on downwind course...but unless you are racing probably not a huge issue.
I keep mine in the water...but I heard of folks getting it on their trailers with the board down and using the trailer bunk to "raise" it...
The new design was a chunk cut out and a "d-ring" bolted into the lead. Its a crummy job and it has to be hauled to do it. It take 3 resources and a crane to deal with the board and not drop it on your deck. It took them a few hours across 2 days to do it. Hunter will say it goes much faster, but the guys actually doing the work would disagree.
On a positive note - the new installation was much better looking. Plus they cleaned up the trunk and drew a "dummy" line to match the cable location...lol - helps the folks who are cranking for me. Rest assured its much better when its all done.
Call Hunter ASAP and talk to Kyle (I think its Kyle)...
Yep - Mine happened the 1st season (cont.)
And just a clarification the work they did was great - very solid and actually feels better than the original. The labor itself is what is "crummy" - not an easy job to do.
I would make sure you get Hunter the game first and then start talking to your repair location and then get them hooked up - preferably some sort of Hunter dealer so they have a relationship already.
Since you have it on the lift, just put it in and use the method on the bunk raising the centerboard. Between motor and winch the keel will go up easy enough and will not cause damage. Just make sure you have enough depth at the ramp - moving forward with the keel down is easier than trying to back up. So make sure its higher tide - too high and you can't get the trailer in far enough b/c it will just float and too low and you can't get close enough and you'll get stuck on the bottom.
And just a clarification the work they did was great - very solid and actually feels better than the original. The labor itself is what is "crummy" - not an easy job to do.
I would make sure you get Hunter the game first and then start talking to your repair location and then get them hooked up - preferably some sort of Hunter dealer so they have a relationship already.
Since you have it on the lift, just put it in and use the method on the bunk raising the centerboard. Between motor and winch the keel will go up easy enough and will not cause damage. Just make sure you have enough depth at the ramp - moving forward with the keel down is easier than trying to back up. So make sure its higher tide - too high and you can't get the trailer in far enough b/c it will just float and too low and you can't get close enough and you'll get stuck on the bottom.
keel
That's good to know that it is possible to wrench the boat on the trailer if the keel cable breaks. I haven't had that problem, but I always worry about it since I trailer sail the boat.
I took mine out this last weekend for the first time this year and had a good day.
That's good to know that it is possible to wrench the boat on the trailer if the keel cable breaks. I haven't had that problem, but I always worry about it since I trailer sail the boat.
I took mine out this last weekend for the first time this year and had a good day.
Thanks Paul for the advice and support. No question it appears to be a poor design. My nephew, and engineer took one look and expressed his wonderment. Looks to be not only a poor place to tie into keel, but the weakest too. I will try to get boat off of lift as suggested. Have some industrial straps to wrap around boat to keep keel up once we get there. Rainy all week anyway. Have sailed all kinds of boats, this one has so many nice features, hope to get it to the dealer soon. Thanks
I actually took mine out for the first sail for 2009 this weekend as well. Saturday was light winds and warm. Sunday was doldrums, biting flies, and hot as hades. Saturday the GPS said we traveled 20 miles round trip - a good four are just motoring out and back. Sunday we only made about 14 miles dealing with the lack of wind. Both days we put the spinnaker out for the return course. Sunday was extra hard to keep it full of air. Tried to cut a little time off on the return on Sunday and cut across a low shoal at low tide - nearly shattered the rudder as we hit under full 4 horses (board was up) - not so smart on my part. Must've been the heat. Everything and everyone was ok though.
This weekend the weather is 65 - 70 but tstorms and clouds and rain both days so not sure if we'll get out...
This weekend the weather is 65 - 70 but tstorms and clouds and rain both days so not sure if we'll get out...
I was out in the Sunday doldrums as well. Actually the wind did pick up a bit later in the afternoon (around 5:00 PM). Earlier in the day, though, I mainly sat at anchor by a favorite beach and drank beer with the wife while the kids explored the shore. They found a nice deer skeleton. Or maybe it was a dinosaur. 
We almost got stuck for the tide change but I managed to pull the boat off the sand-bar as the tide was falling. Still, all in all, a nice time out. Just have to make the best of any wind condition.
We almost got stuck for the tide change but I managed to pull the boat off the sand-bar as the tide was falling. Still, all in all, a nice time out. Just have to make the best of any wind condition.Smaller Boats Forum
Its stuck on their server under the smaller boats forum. Select the model 216. Things evidently didn't convert over last year 100% b/c there 216 specific posts under the boat info page for the 216 but it no longer picks up the "latest" posts. I was annoyed at first, but now I like the smaller boats forum approach b/c I can see everyone else's stuff too...
The newer plastic boats
I don't really see much on this forum about the newer plastic boats, like the 212, 216,170. I have a 212 and am considering getting an asym for it. There was a post awhile back that told about their 216 fleet getting asyms and losing masts. I would like some more details about that story. Anybody use an asym on a boat with no rear stay like the ones mentioned above? I'd like to hear some stories.
I don't really see much on this forum about the newer plastic boats, like the 212, 216,170. I have a 212 and am considering getting an asym for it. There was a post awhile back that told about their 216 fleet getting asyms and losing masts. I would like some more details about that story. Anybody use an asym on a boat with no rear stay like the ones mentioned above? I'd like to hear some stories.
A-Sail on a 216
On the smaller boats forum there are 216/etc. postings - you can also find some on the daysailor section...The search function is dsynfunctional. You can also look throught he 216 boat info section to see installations/customizations. I assume the 212 and 216 are similar.
I saw thepost regarding the 216 fleet and the bent masts when using a spinnaker. The mast is relatively small but it seems that would be quite a feat to generate that much pressure on the mast without rounding up or falling over. That said...
On my 216 (2004) I installed the bowsprit on the deck per Hunter's specifications. The rig is tuned to 15 (inner shrouds) and 34 (outer shrouds). If a spinnaker is used it should be tuned differently but Hunter said don't. ~12 kts and gusty is the max on a broad reach I have used the spinnaker. Close to the wind (as close as you can get with the a-sail) and it will heel a lot even when heavy and act like a big genoa but without the winches. I created a post regarding setting up and taking down the spinnaker to alleviate some of the complexity. Its "complicated", hard to use, hard to helm, limited in usage, a little scary, but will make the boat hum - literarlly. Theoretical hull speed is 5.5 - I've hit 7.3 kts with it - surfing down a wave face helped that number. I love it.
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=652038#post652038
On the smaller boats forum there are 216/etc. postings - you can also find some on the daysailor section...The search function is dsynfunctional. You can also look throught he 216 boat info section to see installations/customizations. I assume the 212 and 216 are similar.
I saw thepost regarding the 216 fleet and the bent masts when using a spinnaker. The mast is relatively small but it seems that would be quite a feat to generate that much pressure on the mast without rounding up or falling over. That said...
On my 216 (2004) I installed the bowsprit on the deck per Hunter's specifications. The rig is tuned to 15 (inner shrouds) and 34 (outer shrouds). If a spinnaker is used it should be tuned differently but Hunter said don't. ~12 kts and gusty is the max on a broad reach I have used the spinnaker. Close to the wind (as close as you can get with the a-sail) and it will heel a lot even when heavy and act like a big genoa but without the winches. I created a post regarding setting up and taking down the spinnaker to alleviate some of the complexity. Its "complicated", hard to use, hard to helm, limited in usage, a little scary, but will make the boat hum - literarlly. Theoretical hull speed is 5.5 - I've hit 7.3 kts with it - surfing down a wave face helped that number. I love it.
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=652038#post652038
Flying the Chute
In an earlier article I read about a mast inversion when flying the chute in heavier winds. Being concerned and to prevent anything like this I installed a kind of a backstay, by extending the top-lift to tie it to one of the back cleats. Actually, to make it more fancy, I attached a Harken block to the lower end of the top-lift and I attached another single block with becket and cam with a carabiner to the cleat to gain a double purchase. It works great like a normal backstay adjuster. However, I don’t use it for up-wind, just for flying the chute down-wind under pressure (10 to 15 knts). Like with a preventer, you have a few more steps to consider before gybing (i.e. releasing the tension, unhooking and when the main comes over, throwing the line to the other side of the sail. It may sound complicated, but it’s not. I can tell you, it works and it’s easy to handle, even when sailing single handed.
By the way, I am proud to be able to gybe the chute, even when sailing alone. It just took al little practice. I agree: sailing the 216 without a chute is only half the fun.
In an earlier article I read about a mast inversion when flying the chute in heavier winds. Being concerned and to prevent anything like this I installed a kind of a backstay, by extending the top-lift to tie it to one of the back cleats. Actually, to make it more fancy, I attached a Harken block to the lower end of the top-lift and I attached another single block with becket and cam with a carabiner to the cleat to gain a double purchase. It works great like a normal backstay adjuster. However, I don’t use it for up-wind, just for flying the chute down-wind under pressure (10 to 15 knts). Like with a preventer, you have a few more steps to consider before gybing (i.e. releasing the tension, unhooking and when the main comes over, throwing the line to the other side of the sail. It may sound complicated, but it’s not. I can tell you, it works and it’s easy to handle, even when sailing single handed.
By the way, I am proud to be able to gybe the chute, even when sailing alone. It just took al little practice. I agree: sailing the 216 without a chute is only half the fun.
Re: Smaller Boats Forum
Thanks--have you had trouble with the centerboard cable jumping off the pully that leads to the hydrollic jack? What do you do?
Thanks--have you had trouble with the centerboard cable jumping off the pully that leads to the hydrollic jack? What do you do?
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