Just notified that my 356 keel has seperated by about 1/4". Needs to be hauled and repaired. Apparantly, Hunter has issued a directive or advisory notice regarding this problem. Anyone know about this or able to provide some additional information regarding what the problem root cause is about? Will keep you advised as to what I find out over the next few days. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
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Earlier report
Dan, I had pulled an email about this off of the bulletin around April 12 to send to my dealer. I'm not sure if it is still in the archives. My 356 was fine at launch in mid-July. I'll certainly check again in a few weeks when it comes out for the winter. I'd love to hear how you come out on this. Here's the earlier post, with the relevant section highlighted. We've just taken our maiden sail Submitted by Joe Hoing of Ray Roberts Marina, Sanger Texas on 04/11 at 08:41AM regarding Hunter 356 Other than our check-out sail with the dealer rep., we sailed our first full day Easter Sunday. She handles like a dream in 8 - 14 knot winds. We averaged 4.5 to 7.6 knots. >>>The main thing you need to check before your 356 goes in the water is the aft or trailing edge of the keel where it meets the hull. Hunter has or had a keel design problem and the keel does not exactly follow the conture of the hull. They compensated by filling in the gap with epoxy (sorry, I forgot the exact brand name)and is ok unless the keel is bumped or set down too hard on aft part of the keel toe. If that bump occurs, the epoxy cracks and must be ground out and I recommend filling and glassing over the gap before you do the bottom job.<<< Also, I have a fairly severe vibration problem at RPMs over 2800. The engine in neutral is smooth as a kitten all the way up to 4000 rpms but put it in gear and the throdle will not stay past 2500 to 2800 without vibrating back down. The companionway hatch rattles like crazy until you bring it back to 2500 rpm. The dealer has re-aligned the drive shaft but this did not cure the problem. We have the standard two blade prop and all appeared to be straight and correct before it went in the water. If anyone has any ideas as to what to check next, I am all ears. All in all we are very happy with our new 356 and are the envy of the lake.
Dan, I had pulled an email about this off of the bulletin around April 12 to send to my dealer. I'm not sure if it is still in the archives. My 356 was fine at launch in mid-July. I'll certainly check again in a few weeks when it comes out for the winter. I'd love to hear how you come out on this. Here's the earlier post, with the relevant section highlighted. We've just taken our maiden sail Submitted by Joe Hoing of Ray Roberts Marina, Sanger Texas on 04/11 at 08:41AM regarding Hunter 356 Other than our check-out sail with the dealer rep., we sailed our first full day Easter Sunday. She handles like a dream in 8 - 14 knot winds. We averaged 4.5 to 7.6 knots. >>>The main thing you need to check before your 356 goes in the water is the aft or trailing edge of the keel where it meets the hull. Hunter has or had a keel design problem and the keel does not exactly follow the conture of the hull. They compensated by filling in the gap with epoxy (sorry, I forgot the exact brand name)and is ok unless the keel is bumped or set down too hard on aft part of the keel toe. If that bump occurs, the epoxy cracks and must be ground out and I recommend filling and glassing over the gap before you do the bottom job.<<< Also, I have a fairly severe vibration problem at RPMs over 2800. The engine in neutral is smooth as a kitten all the way up to 4000 rpms but put it in gear and the throdle will not stay past 2500 to 2800 without vibrating back down. The companionway hatch rattles like crazy until you bring it back to 2500 rpm. The dealer has re-aligned the drive shaft but this did not cure the problem. We have the standard two blade prop and all appeared to be straight and correct before it went in the water. If anyone has any ideas as to what to check next, I am all ears. All in all we are very happy with our new 356 and are the envy of the lake.
Dan
How did you find out about this and has any other 356 had similar promblems? John S/V Alcyone Dis you pull your boat to inspect this or were you told to pull and see?
How did you find out about this and has any other 356 had similar promblems? John S/V Alcyone Dis you pull your boat to inspect this or were you told to pull and see?
Discovery
The boat was out motoring and lost thrust. It was towed in and a diver dove the boat to check the propeller. Nothing wrong there, still don't know why it lost thrust. I was not on the boat at the time. Seems to be working fine now. The diver noticed the keel problem. In discussing it with the dealer, it is apparently not a structural issue, but has something to do with the location of the keel bolts allowing the keel to work either forward or aft (not clear on this). It may also have something to do, as pointed out by other post, with the fit and the material used as filler. Apparently there is a Hunter directive or notice out on this issue. Am I the first (or second) to discover this? The dealer will be scheduling the haul out and repair this next week. I have asked to see the condition when that occurs. Dan Jonas (S/V Feijee II)
The boat was out motoring and lost thrust. It was towed in and a diver dove the boat to check the propeller. Nothing wrong there, still don't know why it lost thrust. I was not on the boat at the time. Seems to be working fine now. The diver noticed the keel problem. In discussing it with the dealer, it is apparently not a structural issue, but has something to do with the location of the keel bolts allowing the keel to work either forward or aft (not clear on this). It may also have something to do, as pointed out by other post, with the fit and the material used as filler. Apparently there is a Hunter directive or notice out on this issue. Am I the first (or second) to discover this? The dealer will be scheduling the haul out and repair this next week. I have asked to see the condition when that occurs. Dan Jonas (S/V Feijee II)
356 keel separation
Dan, according to my dealer, the first fifty or so (hull # under 150 )356's needed to be checked for cracking in the epoxy, they changed the process after it was discovered. any boat lowered hard on the aft toe needs to be inspected, too. good luck! please keep us other owners informed.
Dan, according to my dealer, the first fifty or so (hull # under 150 )356's needed to be checked for cracking in the epoxy, they changed the process after it was discovered. any boat lowered hard on the aft toe needs to be inspected, too. good luck! please keep us other owners informed.
keel cracking
Sad ending of a wonderful summer. My 356 (hull number 119), delivered in June was hauled for the Winter yesterday. The pro's lowered it ever so carefully but with one support area a bit aft at the keel. A cracking noice was heard and a 3 inches long horisontal crack appeared where the aft part of the keel meets the hull. I still don't know the extension of the damage. Earlier information in this forum indicates that structural imperfection might be the cause. Try always to be present when other people are doing things to your boat so there can't be any discussion about the course of events.
Sad ending of a wonderful summer. My 356 (hull number 119), delivered in June was hauled for the Winter yesterday. The pro's lowered it ever so carefully but with one support area a bit aft at the keel. A cracking noice was heard and a 3 inches long horisontal crack appeared where the aft part of the keel meets the hull. I still don't know the extension of the damage. Earlier information in this forum indicates that structural imperfection might be the cause. Try always to be present when other people are doing things to your boat so there can't be any discussion about the course of events.
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