Anyone ever replace the hydraulic centerboard lift on a Hunter 216 with a block and tackle? I'm tired of fiddling with the boats' weak link. ---Erik
216 Centerboard lift
- Thread starter Erik Garcia
- Start date
- Status
Erik,
Don't give up on the hydraulics, it's a really good solution and robustly built, but you do need to take care of it. Sailtec has procedures....First, the strut should be stored vertical during the off season. second, you may have to purge air bubbles-with the valve open, hold the strut upright and pump the piston fully up, then down, and repeat-maybe 5-6 times. If that doesn't work, you may want to flush and replace the hydraulic oil. My 2006 wasn't cared for-when I flushed the strut, I got out about 1/4 cup of greenish cloudy stuff. it should hold 250ml (about a cup) of clear amber fluid. Once replaced, the strut worked fine.
Don't give up on the hydraulics, it's a really good solution and robustly built, but you do need to take care of it. Sailtec has procedures....First, the strut should be stored vertical during the off season. second, you may have to purge air bubbles-with the valve open, hold the strut upright and pump the piston fully up, then down, and repeat-maybe 5-6 times. If that doesn't work, you may want to flush and replace the hydraulic oil. My 2006 wasn't cared for-when I flushed the strut, I got out about 1/4 cup of greenish cloudy stuff. it should hold 250ml (about a cup) of clear amber fluid. Once replaced, the strut worked fine.
Thanks! Yeah, it's from a 2006 as well and it seized up over the past winter. I'm waiting to hear from Sail tec to see if it can be freed and serviced.
I haven't flushed mine, but removal of the allen screw "set bolt" drains it easily enough, and it can be filled through the same hole. Just pull the hydraulic unit from the well... you only need undo the fore end (connected to the center board), and the whole unit slips out of the well with a little persuasion.
That's not per Sailtec-if you remove the cylinder with the board resting on the bunk-like for travel, it's no problem. The Sailtec procedure is attached.
Does anyone have a schematic of the hydraulic mechanism? I just bought the boat and all I have is a broken cable! The hydraulic ram is missing altogether. I am thinking it might be way more cost effective to go with a block and tackle?
Chuckwayne;
Than k you for your assitance to the gentleman. Folks, this site is for us to help you and sometimes listen to those who have done it and know what they are doing. Foprget the opinions when the person knows how to do it successfully.
crazy dave condon.
Than k you for your assitance to the gentleman. Folks, this site is for us to help you and sometimes listen to those who have done it and know what they are doing. Foprget the opinions when the person knows how to do it successfully.
crazy dave condon.
Ouch! it will be hard to do with a block and tackle-the board weighs 500 lbs, so you'll need a big block and tackle-like15:1 to get to a manageable force. The bad news is the cylinder is $1400 from Sailtec.
Any tips on what to do with a seized hydraulic piston? Hydraukic itself seems fine. Piston is frozen solid and wont pump or move at all. In fact its rock solid.
Michael, I assume you mean you can move the pump lever but the piston doesn't move. If you open the valve and still can't move the piston at all, I'd disconnect one end of the stainless tube-over a container! and see what comes out. It may be that you're dry-no oil-or water-and the o-rings have seized the rod to the tube. You may be able to fill it and get it free, but most likely you'll need a rebuild. You can buy the kit from Sailtec, or send iot to them and they'll do the rebuild
Thanks chuckwayne. The hydraulic action worked. That is, it was holding the weight of the keel and released fine when I relieved the valve.
The problem is that the lever/piston that pumps the action will not move. It appears to be tight/seized at the point where the brass ram enters the main cylinder. Neither I nor the mechanic have found a way to relieve it. (Soaking at present.)
The hydraulic action itself is fresh from a rebuild.
I have never before had any stickiness in the pump action. Had the boat since 2006.
The problem is that the lever/piston that pumps the action will not move. It appears to be tight/seized at the point where the brass ram enters the main cylinder. Neither I nor the mechanic have found a way to relieve it. (Soaking at present.)
The hydraulic action itself is fresh from a rebuild.
I have never before had any stickiness in the pump action. Had the boat since 2006.
- Status