H340 additional aft cradle support

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Sep 25, 2013
29
Hunter 340 Toronto
Hi folks, I have a '99 Hunter 340. It sat for three seasons on its cradle before I took ownership. The cradle is a 9 pad (4 on the sides, 1 front center) it seems to me the boat is hanging off the back and I was getting hull indentation on the aft most set of pads. The guys at the yard suggested an aft support, anyone done this or encountered/dealt with this issue? The boat can't go more forward as the keel wings are in the way.
Thanks,
 
Dec 27, 2004
139
Hunter 340 Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Any pics? Is the cradle original?

We have a 2000 h340 and what I think is the original cradle has 6 pads ( 3 per side). Generally hull indentation is a bad thing so anything you can do to relieve that would be good. Most (nearly all) of the weight should be on the keel with the pads just there to steady it. Maybe the front pad(s) could be eased to let it settle forward? Possibly some wedges under aft edge of keel?

The boat itself btw should sit with just a slight slope to stern so the deck drains.

Here's a pic of our cradle...
 

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Sep 25, 2013
29
Hunter 340 Toronto
Hi, Seems we are neighbours so to speak!
I don't have a good photo of the cradle (this shot was from the epoxy job), but is looks very similar to yours. In fact it looks like someone did to your cradle what I was thinking of, remove the second-from-front supports so as not to foul the keel wings.
As you can see from the photo, there is a fair amount of boat hanging off the back, the last support is about even with the prop-shaft exit. If I back the rear supports off the boat will consistently tilt back until the pads are at the bottom.
 
Dec 27, 2004
139
Hunter 340 Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Interesting. I'll have to check mine closer for signs of there previously being another set of pads!

The aft pads on ours are only raised by maybe an inch. A little more tilt than I think needed but seems ok. All the weight should be on the keel tho...the pads are just snugged up to the hull, not taking weight. If you deflect the hull too much for too long it can be serious and perhaps need reinforcing from within with more glass (so I'm told).

I did add an extra layer of 2x6 under the keel this year as last year the aft pads were nearly bottomed out. You might try wedging under the rear of the keel and then let it settle back.

Where's your boat? We're at LaSalle in Burlington.
 
Sep 25, 2013
29
Hunter 340 Toronto
It certainly looks like the same base, I'm guessing they were made by the same company being in the GTA region. Perhaps they just left off that set knowing the keel has those "wings".
I think your suggestion of blocking the rear of the keel up might be a good start. It could be the cradle wasn't level on the ground as it was a grass/gravel surface. This year the cradle will be on pavement. I was contemplating an additional support at the edge of the stern, but perhaps it won't be needed.

The boat was at OHM but I'm at APSC.
 
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