Hunter 26 Center Board

[Richard Joint]

Ref Hul HUNF 0587 D 696

The line to my Centre Board is jammed (previous owner instaled 1/2 line which is probably too large) Can anybody help me. I have the boat up on blocks and can see the end of the line but it will not budge. Going in from the top under the table does not give access to lines, swivel pin or anything. Should I demast and somehow remove compresion post???

Would appreciate anybodies advice.
Richard Joint
richardjoint@gmail.com
Lake Yojoa, Honduras

 

[CalebD]

I don't see why you would have to de-mast the boat to work on the center board.
Up here in the colder waters around NYC we get a lot of marine growth, usually barnacles that build up and can jam a center board. I'm not sure about down in Honduras or your lake but there must be some kind of marine organism that uses your boat and center board trunk as a home.
It is also possible the the line your previous owner installed has swollen and may be jamming its operation.

I'd suggest taking a long, thin but strong piece of metal and probing around the center board in the trunk and see if you can fit it all the way around on both sides. This should clear the center board trunk of obstructions. Don't let the center board suddenly drop down on you if you try this, leave it locked in the 'up' position while underneath.

If the line is causing the obstruction then get a long hack saw blade or equivalent and cut the line that is stuck, attach new line, done.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The line goes thru the mast base via sheave. See if that is jammed. Then it free falls in the compression post down thru the two delrin plastic rollers. It is probably jammed either in the rollers as it is too big or has caught in the mechanism. I would cut that line and remove the center board completly if it is not barnacles which I doubt if on a fresh water lake or could be other marine growth. Either way, I suggest removeing that line and get the correct size which is 7/16 inch size. Once the line is cut, go inside and remove the cover around the base of the compression post which is either screwed into place or siliconed in place.

You will see a large stainless steel bolt. Remove that and clean off all caulk which is probably 5200. (When you re install that bolt, be very careful to align that so it will turn freely. In fact I suggest cleaning the threads of the bolt and nut down below and apply a little grease to the threads. Again do not force the bolt in or you will strip it.)

The center board will not drop out freely. Simply wiggle it from side to side and it will drop down. I suggest that you put a drop cloth on the ground to keep from damaging the center board. When you put the delrin pins back in place, use duck tape to secure them. When reinstalling the bolt put some caulk around that but not on the threads. Also caulk around the bolt head. In addition, make sure the #10 bolts that you will see on the compression post base where the compression post goes into are secure and caulked as well. There are two which the other is on the front and a little harder to get to.

crazy dave