Just purchased a 2004 Hunter 216. I am currently working thru a few small issues with the boat. First being a small crack in the cabin top which I have found the proper 2 part epoxy and repair procedures. Second is I was missing the mast wedge, so have purchased one and now need to find a suitable pin. I am thinking I will go with a long bolt cut down and drill the ends to add retention rings. Also replacing the mast boot as its worn. Minor normal stuff
I think I may have an issue with my keel raising sailtec ram. I keep the boat on a lift so I leave the keel in the full down position. Its just been on the lift about 4 weeks now. When I lower the lift to work on the boat I raise the keel so the tide and waves don't rock the boat around on the lift. What I have noticed is the keel does not pull fully up. I under stand even when fully retracted the fin will stick out the bottom a few inches, but mine is at a pretty good angle and probably a foot out at the back. When pumping the ram the keel comes up fine until the eye of the cylinder is about 5-6 inches From the body of the cylinder. Its like I run out of pressure. At that point I can pump and pump and nothing happens. There is just no pressure I can feel at the handle. After doing some reading I believe the cylinder should retract within about 3/4-1 inch of the body. After some further reading it seems I could be low on oil and thats why I loose pressure after I have pumped as much oil as I can from one side of the head to the other. The ram was rebuilt 2 years ago at sailtec. Can anyone with a 216 advise if their ram pulls the eye all the way in against the body of the ram. Without measuring I would guess I have about 4-6 inches of the rid exposed after it stops. At that point when I pump the handle it just flops back and forth with no pressure.
I have tried the air bleed procedure with no charge.
Anything else I should know about the 216 is much appreciated. I will likely be single handling the boat often.
I think I may have an issue with my keel raising sailtec ram. I keep the boat on a lift so I leave the keel in the full down position. Its just been on the lift about 4 weeks now. When I lower the lift to work on the boat I raise the keel so the tide and waves don't rock the boat around on the lift. What I have noticed is the keel does not pull fully up. I under stand even when fully retracted the fin will stick out the bottom a few inches, but mine is at a pretty good angle and probably a foot out at the back. When pumping the ram the keel comes up fine until the eye of the cylinder is about 5-6 inches From the body of the cylinder. Its like I run out of pressure. At that point I can pump and pump and nothing happens. There is just no pressure I can feel at the handle. After doing some reading I believe the cylinder should retract within about 3/4-1 inch of the body. After some further reading it seems I could be low on oil and thats why I loose pressure after I have pumped as much oil as I can from one side of the head to the other. The ram was rebuilt 2 years ago at sailtec. Can anyone with a 216 advise if their ram pulls the eye all the way in against the body of the ram. Without measuring I would guess I have about 4-6 inches of the rid exposed after it stops. At that point when I pump the handle it just flops back and forth with no pressure.
I have tried the air bleed procedure with no charge.
Anything else I should know about the 216 is much appreciated. I will likely be single handling the boat often.
