Centerboard/Swing Keel Removal - Hunter 240

Mar 17, 2023
4
Hunter 240 Montreal
Hello Everyone, I need assistance with repairs on my Hunter 240

I need to remove the centerboard swing keel to repair fiber glass around. I removed the bolt inside the boat and Centerboard won't come off

Any tips do's and don'ts. Do I have to pry it off, pull it or hammer it down? or I am missing on other hardware to remove?

Should I do a poor man jobs repair and leave it there or it is normaly removable and re-installable without too much hassle?


Thank you for your help!
 

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Dec 2, 2003
752
Hunter 260 winnipeg, Manitoba
You could try putting the bolt back in part way and then use a 2-3lb hammer gently on the head. That should start it moving enough to get it out from below. - one other thing to check before doing this. - Is the centreboard line loose and free to move at the mast step? (You may want to attach a new line to the tail of the existing to change to a new one during this process. As the centreboard comes down make note of the locations of all pins and routing of the line. 3/4” redi-rod will make reinstalling easier and can assist in removal. This is a task for 2 people in order to prevent damage.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,064
-na -NA Anywhere USA
@rgranger
Rob; where is the information on removing the centerboard bracket for the 26. I may have missed it but would be applicable to the H240?
Dave

@Maxcromic
look at what Rob sends and read it. Then advise referencing me here. I will then send you a private message. I was involved in the design of the 240 plus I was a dealer.
Dave
 
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Jan 19, 2010
12,377
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
@rgranger
Rob; where is the information on removing the centerboard bracket for the 26. I may have missed it but would be applicable to the H240?
Dave

@Maxcromic
look at what Rob sends and read it. Then advise referencing me here. I will then send you a private message. I was involved in the design of the 240 plus I was a dealer.
Dave
Here it is

 
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Mar 17, 2023
4
Hunter 240 Montreal
Thank you very much Gentlemen. Centerboard is not stuck if freely moves within its bracket. now I understand I have to pull it out since its more likely stuck in 3m 5200 sealant.

I will let you know how that goes later on

Max
 
Aug 1, 2022
1
Hunter 260 Semiahmoo WA
I recently completed this repair on my Hunter 260. I used a 2 x 2 to strike the elevated centerboard which released immediately.

Growth of mussels on non-antifouled part of the centerboard was the major issue.

A long threaded bolt helped to realign the centerboard.

Richard
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,377
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
So @Crazy Dave Condon has a neat trick for putting it all back together and from you pics, it looks like the previous person used it ... but a tab of duct tape on the pin to hold it in place while you get everything back in place.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,064
-na -NA Anywhere USA
I reached out to the poster and he owns a boat repair facility too. As for 5200 used on top of the centerboard bracket, that was done on earlier models which were stopped as I suggested a bead around the retaining bolt inside to keep water from getting into the cabin. In addition I told him to pull down while wiggling the center board sideways to remove the centerboard bracket . He was advised that it was a two man job

never pick up this boat with a forklift unless using straps that are tied so the straps will not come off due to the curvature of the bow and stern
 
Mar 8, 2023
2
Hunter 240 Sturgeon Bay
Max,
Been following your post, and appreciate the information. I’ve bought a 2004 240, and will have to drop my keel in the spring to repair a chunk missing from the nose of the keel. It’s been out of the water for 2 years, so I hope the foam core has dried out. Are you replacing the old keel, or repairing the fiberglass? If replacing, what led you to that decision? Rog
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,064
-na -NA Anywhere USA
@TreeRog

there is now under documentation on the hunter 240 boat information a detailed explanation of removing the centerboard. If you need any help as I removed centerboards over 500 times, feel free via personal message