Hunter20 swing keel install

[EriePhil]

Hello all,

First off, thank you for all help and suggestions as I'm new to the boat and am moving to my 20 after a year with a Tanzer 16.
I came across a great "deal" and am now the proud new owner of a 1984 Hunter 20. The boat , standing rigging and sails are all in very solid shape. The gentleman that I got the boat from bought it on a whim, never sailed and never sail this boat.
The ballast/keel is off the boat. The centerboard trunk looks ok, no damage. The prior owner got the boat this way and I can only guess that
the centerboard (all 400lbs) were remove to refinish/epoxy as it looks a bit rusty.
What I'd like advise/suggestions on is how to best refinish and install with any suggested modifications. I'm in New England and this will be a winter project with my Tanzer being sailed the rest of this season.
The boat is on the factory trailer, guessing she'd need to come off,but???
Ant help and pictures, shared experiences would be GREAT!!

Thanks again, and I'll post a few pictures soon.

EriePhil

 

[Ed Schenck]

Wow, that is some serious ballast. My 20' Highlander with its huge mainsail only has a centerboard of around 80 pounds. Not sure how you are going to manage. You will need help from someone who has actually done it. I hope that person exists.

The boat will have to be off the trailer and probably four feet above the ground. Then I guess a hoist on a tripod in the cabin to pull the 400 pound keel up into the trunk. Are you able to see how to install the pivot pin? Do you have the parts?

As for finishing it maybe like I recently did to mine. Took it down to bare lead, four coats of epoxy barrier-coat, now ready for anti-fouling.

 

[inarathree]

That is really interesting. My H22 swing keel is maybe 100#. When I installed it my boat was on the hard, on stands (I don't have a trailer). I know that for the H22 you need to lift the boat a good foot off the trailer to work on the keel, so I would imagine that you would need at least that much clearance in your case.

 

[EriePhil]

Thanks for the input! I'm excited to spend some time with her getting ready for next season. I did find some good postings on the web, including one that worked on a 800lbs keel! I'll post some pictures as I'm doing the install for all you DYI types!
Anyone have suggestions on were to get plans for the standing & running rigging? There was a guy at Hunter that was helpful in sending the keel plans, but the guy I got the boat from never had the mast up or launched the boat.
Thanks!