Broken Keel Eye

[Professional Nomad]

I purchased a 2005 Hunter 216 as a salvage boat ($2700 for boat, motor, and trailer) this spring. The hull was cracked from the gunnel down to the keel trunk. There were numerous cracks topside as well. In 2009 Hunter actually replaced the hull and deck on this boat so this is the second time this boat has had significant cracking issues. However, for about $800 I was able to repair the cracks and have been enjoying sailing my 216 ever since.

The keel eye recently gave out and I'm looking at options to make the repairs. I have seen a few threads on this issue and I'm looking to confirm if anyone has successfully raised the keel while hauling their 216 up on to the trailer. I'm hoping that if I can get the keel centered in keel channel on the trailer it will pivot up as I winch the boat up. Has anyone pulled this off before?

Once I can get at the keel to affect repairs I plan to drill and tap holes on either side of the keel eye and mount a stainless steel brace over the original keel eye. This should maintain the original geometry of the shackle on the keel. Any other ideas?

Despite this issue I am still loving my 216!

Cheers, Scott

 

[Kermit]

Welcome to the forum. Crazy Dave Condon is a wealth of information here. I'll make sure he sees this thread. Good luck!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Try Chuckwayne first.

However I had to do that once. I took a long yellow tie down strap but padded the boat to get it up part of the way by placing it under near the very end of the keel an trying to keep the strap in place, I was able to bring it up.

One fellow once on a swing keel placed a board at the end of the trailer under water and secured it with weights to float the boat onto the trailer via winch strap with the keel coming up on the board onto the trailer.

Otherwise, the boat will need to be lifted out.