260 Centerboard Raising System Problems

[Jim Larson]

We just purchased a new 2000 Hunter 260 and are having problems getting the centerboard raised all the way, which makes it difficult to get it back off the trailer if I missed the boards on the trailer. The dealer tried to see what the problem was and ended up breaking the raising line. The boat was taken to a local repair shop and was lifted off of the trailer to replace the line. In looking at the design, it appears the closer you get the board to the full upright position, the less leverage you have to pull it up.Is this a design problem with the 2000 model year 260 in general, or just with my particular boat? I've seen a couple of articles on the forum where there have been broken lines, so maybe I am not alone. It makes me very nervous about trying to raise it, because if the line breaks, I would not be able to get it back on the trailer.Has anyone talked to Hunter about these centerboard problems?Thanks, Jim

 

[Dave Condon]

Adjusting lines

Jim;On top of the deck, you will find of course the centerboard control line.This problem is easily solved by adjusting the lines that are attache to the two blocks on top of the cabin coach or deck. Your dealer should be aware of this. The easiest way is to have the boat in the water and undo all lines and let the center board all the way down. Then adjust accordingly where tied to the two blocks. If you have any trouble, contact ole Craxzy Davecrazy Dave Condon

 

[Dean Eiland]

Raising the centerboard with a broken line.

Jim or anyone for that matter,I know this dosen't exactly address your topic, however, it reminded me of the problem.I recently had my centerboard line break and had to put the boat on the trailer with no centerboard raising system. What you do is, run a line under the boat and work it from the front to the back. When it hits the centerboard you can feel it. If you let the line sag some, then pull it towards the back you can feel the centerboard raise. I had two run two lines, one to pull it up about half way (which will come off if pulled too far) and the second to pull it up the rest of the way and tie it off.We had to load the boat on the trailer this way. Now the line is still between the boat and the trailer, but that is a different issue.Everyone should keep this in mind, because sooner or later everyone is very likely to break the old centerboard raising line.With a broken center board line still,Dean"Chateau de Vent"

 

[Mark Cooper]

Centerboard raising system

I know you were discussing the 260, but I have a brand spanking new 240 with- I think- similiar problems. It seems extremely difficult to raise the centerboard and it's really hard to know if it's all the way up. I had the boat out for the first time on my own Saturday and we raised the board to a position that I THOUGHT was all the way up. When I couldn't get the boat trailered properly and tried to back it off the trailer, the centerboard hung up, so I had to climb up and, out of desparation, tried to raise the board again. There was a distinct "popping" sound and then the board came up significantly further (the blocks now are all the way back to the cleat). Dave, can you give a little more detail as to the adjustment procedure? I just don't think this is normal.