H26 ceterboard line replacement without removing board?

[CaptJarrod]

I purchased my 97 h26 just under a month ago and have been slowly fixing it up. The line to the centerboard is very dry rotted and needs to be replaced soon. It is in the water and I have access to a boat lift that will work for lifting the boat out of the water and drop the keel. But am I able to remove and replace the rope with the keel down without having to take the whole keel out?

 

[Gypsea Kids]

Re: centerboard line replacement

I just replaced my centreboard line on my 99 260 and had to lower the centreboard to rotate the bracket to access the end of the line. If the 97 26 is the same, you only need lower only till the bracket clears the hull. Make sure you temporarily splice (tape the ends of the line together after joining them end on end with a stiff narrow gauge wire pulled through each end) the new line to the upper end of the old line so you can pull down through the bottom. Also ensure the new line is a very low stretch type. Add a couple of feet of line from what the owners manual says to. When raising the centreboard back up be very careful when screwing the bolt back in. Make sure it's lined up. There is an excellent web site available to help guide you through the steps. http://kobernus.com/hunter260/index.html
Good luck

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I would suggest that you lift the boat up in a yard and not on the cradle becuase you could loose gear and plus it is unsafe in a lift. Heard some wild unpretty stories from a couple of folks who did that.

Make sure the line is not a 1/2 inch but just a little smaller. If you have difficulty getting the centerboard houseing out, wiggle the centerboard and it will come out.

crazy dave

 

[CaptJarrod]

So what y'all are saying is I have to unbolt the housing to change it instead of lowering the centerboard?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Wrong. It has to come out completely and thus I suggest having the boat lifted.