H216 hydraulic cylinder on center board

[gary]

Just go back from sailing. It was a great sail untill the wind died. Motored back to the mooring, moored then tried to raise the center board. It would not come up. I have read several times on this site from people who have had this problem. I opened the valve and pumped it a few hundred times. It still did not work. The cable is still attatched qand everything looks fine. Has anyone had this problem and what did you do to fix it. I am planning to leave it on its mooring for at least a month so I have time to fix it. I do not want to try to get it on the trailer with the center board down.Any body ahve any ideas or experience I would appreciate hearing themThanksGary

 

[Ron M]

Anyone?

Gary - Did you work things out? As a potential future 216 buyer I'd be interested to hear the solution. Anyone?Ron Mehringerh26 Hydro-Therapy

 

[gary]

h216 centerboard problems

RonI have not worked out the problem. I have seen several post on this site where people have had problems with the hydraulic cylinder that raises the centerboard. The usuall suggestions was to leave the valve open and pump it a hundred times or so to remove any air from lines. I have tried this with no luck. I plan to get a couple of blocks and try to raise the board using them. I hope I can set up somthing with a 8 to 1 advantafe. If not I am sure I can get a 5 to 1. I have considered using the downhaul. I do not think I will. But maybe. I plan to work on it Sunday so I will post my results. It looks like I will have to replace the hydraulic cylinder. I would like to be able to get the boat on its trailer and do that this winter. there is still a lot of good sailing in my area so I am tring to avoid loosing any sailing time.Gary

 

[gary]

h216 purchase

RonI would recomend the H216. It is a very large day sailer, very comfortable, and a good sailor. I would not consider it for more than day sailing. My previous boat was a Drascombe long boat. I was drawn to the H216 because I felt it would be an exiting yet save sail boat. I have not been disapointed.This said the Hunter was about 1/3 of the price of some of the other boats I was looking at in the same size range. The mast and riging is lighter. That has not been a problem and is a pluss when it comes time to rig the boat. The outer plastic in the composite system is easy to care for but is also easy to scratch. If you want to keep a yatch like finish this is not the boat for you.All in all the H216 is a good boat that I would but again. The leaking around the mast is a problem that I believe can be fixed but it wound have been nice if Hunter addresed this. There is a lot of wasted space below the seats that is hard to access. In a more expensive boat they would have made better use of that space. But the Hunter was less expensive and live is about trade offs.Hope this helps you decide.Gary

 

[Tom]

Contact Sailtec

Contact Sailtec On (920)2334292 or email sailtec@juno.com. They are very helpful.

 

[gary]

Sailteck

TomThanks for the idea and phone number.I will give them a call.Gary