H26 CB Uphaul replacement

[Chiriqui]

I've yet to examine my CB uphaul to know what condition it is in, but it's a concern of mine that "someday" is going to demand my attention.

I like some ideas on how I'm going to service it.

There are "no" sling lifts" available to me, which I think would make the job pretty simple.

As I see it my only option is to service it when it's in the water, correct?

Could I beach the H26 and somehow service it then?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

To replace the center board line or sometimes refered to cascade line, the centerboard has to come off. I would not beach the boat as it would be difficult to lean over and I fear that you could damage the hull or better yet the seal joint of the water ballast tank lid. I would also advise against removal of the centerboard in the water particulary when trying to get it back on which would be next to impossible.

How far are you from the Canal and are there any yards near by that can pick you up with slings. The problem with a lift on fixed supports for example a power boat lift with straight boards on it as most power boat hulls can accept that, sailboat hulls are differerent. You would have the curved hull being lifted on two points and you will damage the hull and water tank lid. I have seen the end results of that.

Some folks have lifted the boat thru different methods but I am an advocate of safety and when you do not know what you are doing, loosing an arm or life is not in my books. You may have to take the time to find a yard with slings. Do not use or think of a fork lift with this hull.

crazy dave condon

 

[Chiriqui]

I'm day's away from sailing to the Canal which I've never done and I'm not sure if the H26 or me is up to it. I've thought about it. There's a peninsula I have to get around with some pretty stiff currents heading into the Gulf of Panama. That's a maybe solution. There is I know of one if not more sling hoists there.

I have maybe another option if I can find a support to hold the boat up when the tide goes out. On a full moon there are 17' to 18' tide changes in Boca Chica where I have the boat.

Without a keel to rest on I'm not sure how one would support the boat. You seem to indicate avoiding stress on the ballast tank seal. Would some sort of fixed point support that runs the length of the boat on both sides avoid stressing the hull and ballast seals?

The problem with a lift on fixed supports for example a power boat lift with straight boards on it as most power boat hulls can accept that, sailboat hulls are differerent. You would have the curved hull being lifted on two points and you will damage the hull and water tank lid. I have seen the end results of that.
crazy dave condon

 

[kenkindy1]

Hi Chiriqui, This is an age old question. Beaching won't work as the Swing keel is the lowest point on the boat. The lowest point will not be accessible when the boat is on dry/muddy beach.

Do you have a trailer? Many people have posted pictures of jacking the boat and trailer up off a shop floor, then blocking up the boat and moving the trailer away to have access to the swing keel. This sounds dangerous as well.

There are marked "sling positions" on the boat. These marks line up with "ribs" in the boat to avoid hull flexing.

When I had mine changed the shop had a sling lift in their shop to do so.

Ken

 

[BrianW]

How do you identify the "sling positions" for an H-26? Where are the marks? BrianW

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I generally placed the slingg forward of the centerboard trunk housing and about 6 feet behind it if not on the trailer. If on the trailer the slings were placed just forward and aft of the bunk boards. Two things to consider. Always tie ropes to the slings around the water line mark to keep the slings from sliding out due to curvature of the hull. Secondly, make sure the slings are spread out to the width of the boat so it will not crush the sides of the hull inward. I have used 6 inch wide slings but if wider, the better. Brian W I hope this answers your question.

If on a makeshift sling, the biggest issues are several. If using a single attachement for both liftting slings, make sure the boat is balanced evenly fore and aft when lifting. If not, then reset the slings until it is balanced when lifting. In addition, use a spreader if needed but always tie the slings together. If using long slings and I mean very long, you might be able to get by without a spreader but that is to be determined when lifing the boat slightly to make sure you aree not crushing the hull.

For some with no how, lifting off the trailer with jacks will be easy but for some who are timid and do not know, ere on the safe side and take the boat to a yard.

crazy dave condon

Crazy Dave

 

[Chiriqui]

Humm if I recall the marina where I keep the boat has a boat stall with a deep pit in the floor for a petroleum tank. I think there's room enough that if I could as you say jack the boat off the trailer and "balance" on some blocks/fixed supports I could then drop the center board to work on it.

 

[BrianW]

Chirqui, unless you have known current problems with the centerboard, I wouldn't go through all the trouble just to inspect it unless you have another valid reason to lift the boat. Many times, when the boat has to be lifted for other reasons, such as for for bottom painting, many people, go ahead and inspect the centerboard, replace the centerboard uphaul line, replace the bushings, etc. This is usually done as preventive maintenance, before centerboard problems occur. Again, I would reconsider unless you already have known centerboard-related problems that have to be attended to immediately. BrianW

 

[soling42]

Gotta agree with Dave and Brian. Be really careful no matter what you do when hoisting your boat, and don't bother unless you have a true issue. I was all worried about my keel line and when I got to it, it would have lasted years longer.

Brian, sorry about not getting you those sling zone measurements like I said. Just haven't been out there. Maybe this week yet.

Cya, Mike

 

[Chiriqui]

Will follow your advice. The paint is wearing off because I don't keep the boat in the water but on the trailer. Getting her back on the trailer is gradually wearing off the bottom paint. I've thought about antifouling so I could moor the boat and that puts me back at square one, working on the bottom of the boat. In the mean time I'll start figuring out a solution based on the advice I'm getting here.