Centrboard hard to lift

[Rabbott]

I've just bought a Hunter 260 and I'm finding the centreboard extremely difficult to lift.

I have put a 4:1 pulley system on and ensured that the board is reasonably easy to swing from below (I have the luxury of a boat lift on the jetty) but I still need to use the sheet winch to pull the tail of the pulley to lift the centreboard. The main 12mm line to the board is strung like piano wire and I'm worried that the boat will crack under the strain.

Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[Bill Jones]

I have a H23.5 and the winch has to used to raise the centerboard. There is no way that I could raise it without the winch. The boat was purchased new in 1995 and that's the way it has been since day one.

 

[Sublime]

It's hard to lift and that's normal. It's a 100lb center board and the line is connected close to the top of the board. So you don't get the benefit of leverage from the length of the board else it'd be easy.
I use the winch to pull it up.
You could inspect the bolt if it hasn't been done in a while and make sure all is well there.

 

[soling42]

Rabbott,
welcome to the board and your new 260. The CB is actually tough to fully raise even when everything is working well. There are a number of threads that discuss the typical concerns about the leverage of a line that only moves a few inches to retract a board over a few feet. Aside from needing to use the boat hardware to it's limits it'll be fine(unless something is broken/worn out, however doubtful).

My '04 260 Cb got a rebuild last season and all the pins and blocks were still in excellent shape. Here's a few shots of the board out of it's well showing how little the line travels at the CB head to raise a board over 5' long weighing about 80lbs. I replaced my cabin roof winches last year with Lewmar self tailing winches and it's a major improvement when handling the CB line.

We had our boat on the previous owners lift the first year after we'd bought it and it was a great setup.
Fair winds. Mike

 

[Rabbott]

Thanks to all for such quick replies. As the new owner of a 2002 Hunter 260, in Australia a long way from Hunter factory etc, it's great to know there is such help available.

Has anyone ever considered putting a turning block half way down the centerboard case and attaching the line further down the board?

Yes it would be tricky epoxying/screwing/??? up in the case and possibly into the water ballast tank. You would also need to reduce the plate in certain places to allow the line a direct pull and to cut into the plate to allow space for the turning block. But it would radically change the effort needed to lift the plate. At present my wife can't do this and sailing two up this is a real safety issue.

 

[Deucer]

Raising Centerboard

I wouldn't worry about it and just use the cabin winch. Just make sure you watch the line and replace it when it gets worn (on my to do list). By using the winch, it should be much easier. If that's still too difficult for the admiral (hey...I though Aussie girls were tougher than that.., get a right angle cordless drill and buy an adapter for the winch. That should do the trick.

OBTW, would LOVE to come down and do some sailing (have a friend in the Aussie Army).

 

[soling42]

There is NO room in the CB well at the head for any blocks. It's buried and the inlet for the line is about the size of your thumb.

The CB lines' 4-to-1 purchase should be setup on the cabin roof between the winch and the deck organizer with a line from a block back to the winch, 3 wraps on the winch, a nice long winch handle, grab the tail and my skinniest kid could pull it up. The problem could be either the 4 to 1 isn't set up right(direct CB line to winch maybe) or technique at the winch needs some practice(not too uncommon).

It's worth saying that It'll never winch up when it's under load sailing on a reach.

Hope that all makes sense while I try to figure everything upside down for you down under

Mike

 

[Nicky17000]

Assuming that everything is working well, you can try lifting it while motoring forward.
The pressure of the water should help.

 

[boubou]

You're all luky guys , because my cb line is broken , and it's impossible to get de center board out . It goes up when I put it on the trailer & down when it's in the water. Does anybody have and idea why it will not go out even by pulling it ?

 

[soling42]

Only one 3/4" bolt holds the CB head in the well. It's located at the base of the compression post inside. Undo that bolt and it'll come out if there is about 14" of clearance under the boat at the CB head. It could be stuck from sealant that was applied inside but it's a simple U shaped stainless steel bracket as pictured above. You'll just have to gently but methodically get after it. It'll come out.

I can't imagine how you launch without driving the CB into the bottom. In my haste to launch last season I forgot to cleat the CB line and it didn't take long to figure out why the boat came to an abrupt halt at the tail of the trailer.....oops.
Mike

 

[boubou]

Thanks Mike!
I already done that, the boat was 4 ft from the ground. we took the 3\4 bolt out and we pull the CB like crazy never moves??? I tough about the sealer. Yes it's a lot of fun to put it on the water, I have to strap de CB until it's in the water. Last year I had to go in the water with the mask to push it !!! On Lake Champlain NY in may it's a bit cold !!!!
Lou

 

[soling42]

BB, Take an 18" piece of 3/4" all thread, remove the bolt at the compression post base, thread the rod in a few inches, apply downward pressure with some gentle persuasion(3lb sledge w/wooden block) while someone underneath puts a short block of wood as near as possible between the CB head on the aft side of the CB and the hull. Push up on the CB tail while "encouraging" downward pressure on the rod.

Hard to explain but you can't really sell the boat like that so you might as well fix it now so you can use the necessary function of the lift line. Don't try to remove the CB in the water no matter how confident you feel about lake water temps, it's just too cumbersome to get back in except on land.

Good luck, Mike

 

[yachtsman]

Nicky's got the idea

I always winch up the CB when motoring forward. The extra help from the water passing the keel makes the job a lot easier.
What part of Australia do you live?

 

[Rabbott]

Re: Nicky's got the idea

Hi Yachtsman - Paynesville Vic, on Gippsland Lakes. Yes it is easier moving forward but that isn't always convenient. From all the replies it seems this is just a normal feature. Even if the line is tighter than a piano in concert pitch.

 

[yachtsman]

Re: Nicky's got the idea

I'm originally from Horsham and know the Gippsland lakes. Lucky you..A great sailing area!