New Hunter 216 owner. I recently purchased a 2008 216, so probably one of the last produced. Originally sold to a non-sailor in Michigan. Sailed only ten or fewer times. Hull in great shape, however the rigging a cordage was a disaster. Not sure how it could have been safely sailed.
First sail last weekend on a 550 acre lake east of Lake Geneva Wisconsin. Replacing/upgrading all the cordage and much of the blocks and tackle and may update much of the controls. Experience from racing Lightnings, Flying Scots, and Buccaneers on Lake Michigan the last 17 years, so the Hunter is a new experience.
QUESTIONS
1.) First noticed that there was no "tiller feel" and actually the boat was too nervous because of a very quick turning ratio of the VARA rudder system: I quickly added bungee-cords to tiller to dampen the movement. Other suggestions?
The Vara rudder casket on my boat was "fixed" by the original owner (there was a problem with the bearings in some of them) so the rotation I "feel" may not be the same as yours. That said I find that I can lightly hold the tiller once sails are trimmed and I'm sort of locked in on a heading or even at times let go completely to attend to something. I don't find it nervous but the boat is VERY responsive to input which a find feels sort of like a really big laser. The other factor is the boat handles quite a bit differently when loaded up VS singlehand.
2.) The centerboard does not completely retract into the centerboard case. Is this normal?
I mentioned this above but the designer (Henderson)did this on purpose. So yes they are all like that. Article in the link has his quotes.
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3.) The main halyard would not pull the Head of the sail to the very top of the mast. Added a cheek block at the base of the mast and a turning block just below the boom goose-neck on the mast. This really helped.
I never experienced any issue with raising the main all the way up so can't really comment constructively on this one. My main and I believe all stock sails have sail slugs running in the mast track, maybe a slug or the track is faulty???
4.) Topping Lift attached to the end of the boom was needed to keep the boom from sagging downward. Unfortunately the topping lift chafes the leech and hangs up the main on tacks: Installing a Seoladair 750 Boomkicker this weekend to remedy the problem. Probably going to lower the bail for the Vang 4 inches to gain the space to install the Boomkicker and install a 2:1 Cascading Vang set-up for additional purchase.
I have a two position topping lift and the standard vang on mine and again don't have this problem. My thoughts would be if you can't get main all the way up then of course the end of the boom is going to sag. Loose footed main with a slug in the track so clew is right at the boom... normal stuff. Your additions would obviously make the tuning options greater but might not be worth it on this boat. The design is a lively daysailer not a full on race boat, just sayin.
When I raise the main I have the topping lift clipped on, get the sail all the way up so the leech is supporting the boom, I then unclip the first hook and the second clip holds the topping lift to the end of the boom but lets it slop around so that it doesn't interfere with the roach. I don't have a picture but if my explanation doesn't make sense I can get one.
Any other recommendations from the group would be appreciative.
Thank you
John Welch
Silver Lake WI.