Hunter H240 Centerboard bracket deteriorated PSA

[Sneed]

I was replacing the centerboard uphaul on my h240 and this is the condition of the bracket. I realize it’s 25 years old but this was one part of the project I never expected to have to deal with.

If you haven’t looked at yours in a while, I would suggest an inspection be performed soon.

 

[SteveHughessails]

Nice, lucky you decided to do the uphaul line. I started ordering the parts to do mine last week.

 

[Sneed]

I PM'd @Crazy Dave Condon to get clarification on the proper line size and his response included additional useful information; I'm posting it here for others that may find themselves in a similar situation. Given my boat is kept on a lift with no pressure on the centerboard, the explanation of why my bracket rusted out and broke is still unknown,

@Crazy Dave Condon Wrote:

7/16 inch line. Don’t consider 3/8 and 1/2 inch line. The forum store sells line for the centerboard which I recommend.

I was getting to post a suggestion on the centerboard bracket as this break was a first for me to see as it normally breaks at the weld. The only thing comes to mind is the centerboard pinched between the centerboard housing and keel tray on the trailer. If so, raise the bunk board stalks or supports just enough to allow the centerboard to wiggle between the boat and trailer. You can purchase this centerboard bracket from the forum store as they have the measurements for that bracket. It is not cheap

There is a good article by @rfranger on changing out the centerboard line found on the Hunter 26 and 260 boat information which would be applicable to all the Hunter water ballast sailboats

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Check to see if the centerboard is held fast or tight while on the lift. If not, i am stumped.

thanks for posting my response @Sneed

 

[Sneed]

The board just "hangs" there in the up position with no support under it on the lift (should I support it?). I've had this boat for over 10 years and this is the 1st I've pulled the CB out. I do recall the previous owner, who also had the boat on a lift, had the CB resting on a cross-beam directly under the bracket, so perhaps it was damaged then (10 years ago??) and finally broke. I can't say how long the bracket was in this condition but the CB was operating fine, albeit a bit stiff to pull up ever since I got the boat. The CB pivot bushing was missing too though. Thank you again for your advice and input, always appreciated!

By the way, I've got a new bracket, roller and bushing on order so should be back in business in a month or so .