keel-centerboard wobble

[Jerry Gabel]

Last fall I bought a 1996 Hunter, water ballast, 23.5. I noticed when I pulled it from the water that the swing keel was askew, and I found I could force it side to side at the pivot point. I previously had a Catalina 22, with the same symptom. It's keel is 500 pounds of lead, the pivot hole had worn so the board wobbled at the hinge pin. At the marina I had to have them pull the boat, drop the centerboard, rebore it and then reinstall it with a custom bushing. Cost over $500. With the plastic centerboard on the Hunter 23.5, what is the recommended fix?What is the weight of the 23.5's centerboard - I'm wondering if I can get underneath while in shallow water, drop it, have it repaired, then reinstall it the same way I removed it. Or would the centerboard be too heavy???Any help will be appreciated.Jerry

 

[Brian M H23]

Bad Thing?

My 23 does the same thing, but I don't bother much with it. Googline "gybing board" - there are some people who believe the centerboard SHOULD be free to angle a bit. Another note- your board is made of foam and fiberglass - the hardest part will be dropping it, because it is pretty buoyant!

 

[Jonathan Costello]

Been there

Jerry,I own a '94 23.5. If you were to attempt to get rid of the wobble it won't be nearly as costly as your Catalina. There are plastic shims up in the bracket on both sides of the keel that holds the keel to the hull via a bolt that is accessed at the base of the compression post in the cabin. Chances are the shims are too thin (not worn). I would not be concerned that the hole that the keel pivots on is worn. I hauled my boat out last summer to change out the keel up-haul rope (just as a precautionary measure). I figured that while I was down there I would replace any worn parts. I was pleasently surprised to find that everything was in good shape but since I had replacement parts I decided to change them all out. I ended up replacing the shims and the keel had less wobble but there was still a little. Don't lose any sleep over it, chances are that everything is OK down there. This project is NOT something you want to attempt on the trailer OR in the water.Good luck.Jonathan