The keel on recently purchased 260 has a split in the base which resulted in some delaminating of the gel coat from the balsa core. Fixing it was no big deal - see photo of fiberglass repair along base and leading edge. (Still awaiting sanding). According to my repairman, the most likely cause was that the yacht was left on its keel on a beach (especially is pebbled rather than sand) - any other experiences?
Hunter 260 - Split in keel
- Thread starter Anthony Pogson
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H260 Centerboard
This is a new one for me but not surprising. The centerboard is constructed much like the rudder. It's important to fix chips and nicks to the fiberglass shell so the core does not become compromised. I'll be touching mine up this winter.
This is a new one for me but not surprising. The centerboard is constructed much like the rudder. It's important to fix chips and nicks to the fiberglass shell so the core does not become compromised. I'll be touching mine up this winter.
Looks alot like Ramage
Beaching on a rocky/coarse beach could surely wipe it out but damage to the whole leading edge sure looks like it took a hit. Everybody can relate to running aground or even hitting submerged objects. Was it just split with no signs of an impact? I had just said that I'm surprised that we don't see more CB failures with all the issues from the rudders we've seen. Glad it's repairable and hope it was the PO error not a mfg flaw. How's the sailing season in Fremantle or is winter a time to pack it up? Thanks for posting your issue. Michael and Kelli 2004 H260 Sarasota, Fl
Beaching on a rocky/coarse beach could surely wipe it out but damage to the whole leading edge sure looks like it took a hit. Everybody can relate to running aground or even hitting submerged objects. Was it just split with no signs of an impact? I had just said that I'm surprised that we don't see more CB failures with all the issues from the rudders we've seen. Glad it's repairable and hope it was the PO error not a mfg flaw. How's the sailing season in Fremantle or is winter a time to pack it up? Thanks for posting your issue. Michael and Kelli 2004 H260 Sarasota, Fl
Freezing water in Australia .... not ...
No, I can categorically state that it was not freezing water that caused the problem - the boat was originally in South Australia on the coast and there is definitely never water freezes there (nor here in Western Australia). In Perth we are in the middle of winter and the sea temperature is 18 C (that's 64 F on the silly scale). I am also thinking that the damage may be the result of too much weigth on the keel whilst on the trailer? Perhaps the port and startboard bearers need raising? And to answer soling42 - yes, there are lots of wonderful sailing opportunities in Fremantle in winter - one just needs to pick the day - and today is not one of them with winds "W/NW winds 20/30 knots with possible thunderstorm squalls to 45 knot". But air temp is a comfortable 18 C too. That said, in summer we get typically get quite strong afternoon sea breezes so sailing in 20-25 knots is not unusual.
No, I can categorically state that it was not freezing water that caused the problem - the boat was originally in South Australia on the coast and there is definitely never water freezes there (nor here in Western Australia). In Perth we are in the middle of winter and the sea temperature is 18 C (that's 64 F on the silly scale). I am also thinking that the damage may be the result of too much weigth on the keel whilst on the trailer? Perhaps the port and startboard bearers need raising? And to answer soling42 - yes, there are lots of wonderful sailing opportunities in Fremantle in winter - one just needs to pick the day - and today is not one of them with winds "W/NW winds 20/30 knots with possible thunderstorm squalls to 45 knot". But air temp is a comfortable 18 C too. That said, in summer we get typically get quite strong afternoon sea breezes so sailing in 20-25 knots is not unusual.
Sillly scale from former colonal masters
...And like those guys I was wrong. I was looking at that pic bassackwards, thinking it was the leading edge of the CB, then I saw the tank drain....ah-ha. I slightly revise my misconception about ramage to say that it now looks like somebody drug that baby across a few too many sandbars while it was down. Simple delamination, sitting on a trailer wrong, cracking into something while underway or whatever I'm glad it can be saved. Sailing this boat in 20-25kts is a handful. Maybe I've been sailing those sleepy sunset runs in the tropics too long. Have a great season and I always encourage people to drop a few shots of their favorite days on the water, especially from somewhere I'll probably never get to. Fremantle is most likely one of those but it sounds wonderful. Michael
...And like those guys I was wrong. I was looking at that pic bassackwards, thinking it was the leading edge of the CB, then I saw the tank drain....ah-ha. I slightly revise my misconception about ramage to say that it now looks like somebody drug that baby across a few too many sandbars while it was down. Simple delamination, sitting on a trailer wrong, cracking into something while underway or whatever I'm glad it can be saved. Sailing this boat in 20-25kts is a handful. Maybe I've been sailing those sleepy sunset runs in the tropics too long. Have a great season and I always encourage people to drop a few shots of their favorite days on the water, especially from somewhere I'll probably never get to. Fremantle is most likely one of those but it sounds wonderful. Michael
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