Adding on to a keel instead of removing some rudder...

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Has anyone ever tried to add onto the keel of a 33' Hunter 1981 Cherubini? We have the 4.75' draft model and the rudder extends below the keel. She is also super dry and floats with several inches of below waterline exposed, so it seems like additional weight would be welcome. Would like to add 6 to 8 inches to the bottom aft part of keel, in lead. Does anyone know the keel composition on these models?
any advice, suggestions, or ideas would be welcome.
many thanks
Bob Pullen
"Seanorita"
1981 Hunter 33 Cherubini

 

[Ed Schenck]

Your keel is lead.

All the Cherubini's were lead I think. Certainly yours is. There was an article, maybe in Good Old Boat, about adding a torpedo to the bottom. Pretty sure that Mars can make an addition since they made the original. See http://www.marsmetal.com/newpages/torpedobulbs.html

 

[Paul F]

went the other way

On my 33, after the rudder was bent in the pull off from a grounding. A refit was done on the rudder to take 7" off the bottom and then add 7" to the trailing edge of the rudder. The result is a square shaped rudder that works very well on all points of sail, including downwind in a following sea. Would recommend you consider this instead of adding more wt. to the boat. Also the specs put the shoal draft at 4' and the full keel at 5'3". Your idea will work. However, getting off a grounding with a larger footprint will not be easy. Sailing in thin water here makes this a consideration. Please keep us informed as to your progress and results.

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Adding to the keel on a 1981 H-33 Cherubini

I had heard from someone that these were iron encased?
Seanorita is currently hauled out in Mexico.
We don't have access to Mars there, but I have had it looked at by the leading machine shop, who feels like they would be able to add to the keel. I will make sure to go over Mars' website with them when I return. My purpose is to make the keel the deepest part of the hull, and not the rudder. I think that if I do so, it might also be wise to add an inch or 2 to the trailing edge of the new rudder that I am having built (in the US), to replace the old one with the bent rudder post.
thanks for the advice
Bob

 

[walmsleyc]

Here's how you do it ...

No joke ... this is real!!!

 

[SamLust]

Paul F.: Pictures and specs?

Paul; Do you have pictures and measurements of your rudder, both before and after? I added about 1 1/2 " to the trailing edge of the rudder on my 1983 H 33, and there is a difference in tracking. However it does not make much difference running down wind. How is steering effort compared to original? My steering is finger-tip light with good feel even up into higher wind, and I wouldn't want to loose that.

I was wandering a boat yard yesterday and came across a 1979 H 33 on the "Dead-line" The rudder measured about 40 inches from top to bottom. I don't have measurements on mine and won't for a whils as it will be spending it's third consecutive year winter in the water. It has gotten a wee bit too cool for me to jump in and measure

 

[Paul F]

Rudder specs?

Sam, sorry for the delay. Have a good reason, was out cruising this weekend . (got to use all these new smiling do-dads) Was in the water last week cleaning the bottom. Will jump back in this week and get those measurements for you. My wheel is also light very easy to steer. I think we have the same s1 auto-pilot. It also works well with the rudder.

 

[SamLust]

Oh Yeah --- Thanks

That means of course that I'll have to go into our now approximately 65 degree water to measure mine.

My friend went in for me this last weekend and scraped down my prop. Only took him 4 or 5 minutes with the air supply set-up I made up. A 12 volt air mattress inflator, some bilge pump hose and a cheap diving snorkel. He said it worked great. I might have to try it myself. And yes, he owed me a favor or two. Something about hosting him and his Atomic 4 in my garage all winter while he rebuilt it. This included his uncanny ability to show up just as we were cooking up pancakes every Saturday morning!