Hunter 23 help

[D.Courtney]

Hello,
I have recently come into a 1989 Hunter 23 wing keel. The boat has been sitting on a trailer for the last 4 or 5 years but she is generally in good shape.
I grew up sailing small boats like an Albacore or CL16 at summer camp, but I am new to bigger boats like the 23. There is a piece on the interior that looks like it needs to be replaced and I'm wondering how big or urgent of a job it is. I'm not sure what this piece is called or what to look for. I suspect at this point, it would need to be fabricated to replace.
Thanks in Advance.

 

[dlochner]

That is called a knee and it does need to be replaced. It appears the chainplate was leaking and damaged the plywood. You will have to cut this your self or have someone cut it for you from marine plywood.

 

[shemandr]

I'd spend some time learning how that knee attaches to the hull and underside of the deck. I would do my best to template it including trying to locate the chainplate position. It probably won't come out in one piece and then it will be too late.

 

[D.Courtney]

Thank you. Is the knee a critical structural piece? I figured that plate was leaking and caused it to rot. Is there any wood (that you know of) above or adjacent to the knee?

 

[dlochner]

Yeah, the knee is pretty important. It transfers the forces from the shrouds down into the hull. If it fails the mast will come down. Not sure how Hunter installed this knee, you'll have to peal back the carpet to see. It should be tabbed into the hull with multiple layers of fiberglass. You'll need to remove that tabbing by grinding and then reinstall more glass and epoxy to secure the knee. The alignment and placement is also important.

 

[D.Courtney]

Thanks for the detail.. Has anyone here replaced one of these arched knees before? Is there another forum I should post in?

 

[dlochner]

Thanks for the detail.. Has anyone here replaced one of these arched knees before? Is there another forum I should post in?

While every boat model is built a little differently, it is mostly a variation on a theme. There are only so many ways to build a production sailboat that works. On sailboats chainplates are either connected to a bulkhead, a knee, or to the deck depending on sizes and intended use. At least for chainplates attached to knees or bulkheads, the drill is the same, tab the knee or bulkhead to the hull to transfer the loads to the hull.

The carpet is just glued in place, it needs to be peeled back so you can see how the knee is attached. Then it is time to carefully remove the old knee to preserve its shape as much as possible, remove the old tabbing, and install the knee and tab it to the hull. That's the broad overview of the repair.

If you are anxious about glassing in the new knee and using epoxy, then there are good resources out there. West System epoxy has a ton of information about fiberglass repair. Andy Miller's BoatworksToday YouTube channel has lots of videos about epoxying and glassing, and TotalBoat.com also has an extensive tech help section. Spend some time with those resources and you will gain some confidence in doing the repair. Working with fiberglass is really simple, it is hard to screw it up if you have done your homework.

 

[D.Courtney]

Thank you!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

@D.Courtney

I was a Hunter dealer who introduced the wing keel 23
Wing keel it forgot how that pice was attached. Your best bet is to talk with either Mike Thomas or Al Fooks at this forum store who are former Hunter employees and have a build list of parts for the 23. They w pork now at this forum store. Suggest talking with Al

 

[D.Courtney]

Thank you. I'm not sure how big or small of a project it is. I think it will be manageable with some of the advice and resources others have posted here. I'm new to keel boats, so ive never done this kind of project before.

 

[Shacklepin]

The good news is you have a knee to look at and copy. Fairly straight forward project and when in doubt build it stout! I think you will like the boat. Small enough to trailer and see other places and large enough for 2 or 3 for an extended weekend. It does everything well and is a low budget way to get there and make it happen. I love the shallow draft for getting into places most boats can't yet it sails respectfully. Headroom is an issue but if you are below for any length of time you are typically sitting on in your bunk.

 

[D.Courtney]

Thank you. The knee will have to be completely replaced; it may be a project that is bigger than I can personally handle. In the short term, I removed the chainplate and completely covered the knee with West System 105 epoxy. I let it cure for about 2 hours and then applied more epoxy and added a layer of fiberglass and covered with epoxy again. I sanded the fiberglass a bit and re-attached (and sealed) the chainplate. I think this repair should get me through the season.

 

[Shacklepin]

Looks like a fine temporary repair. Remember, the chainplate will go up and out of the slot cut into the deck but the bolts won't. If the knee fails, the chainplate can only move up until the bolts hit the underside if the deck. This will keep the mast upright. It won't be happy but you can get the boat home.
Good sailing
Dale