New Owner/Sailor-Questions regarding Winch Mechanism and Swing Keel

[Hunter20]

I have recently been given a 1983 Hunter 20 from my uncle and have a few questions I was hoping the experienced Hunter owners could give me guidance on.
The boat and trailer is in relatively good shape, the Winch for the swing keel is shot and not attached anymore. I am looking for advise, I called Hunter and got the very limited PDF files they had on the swing keel assembly for the 1983 Hunter 20, I do appreciate them sending me very promptly what they did have. But the files did not show how and what needs to be removed to attach a new winch and rope to the swing keel. Does anyone have any experience with this situation? Also does anyone suggest a good winch replacement or any upgrades to this assembly?

Thanks!!

 

[beachbumbill]

I also have a Hunter 20 I just acquired and wonder how you made out on your winch and uphaul rope for your keel. I have the same problem.

 

[beachbumbill]

Hunter 20

I also have a Hunter 20 and have the same problem. Did you resolve yours? I would really like to find out how

Beachbumbill

 

[Happy Hippy]

Fixing the swing keel cable and winch.

I have recently been given a 1983 Hunter 20 from my uncle and have a few questions I was hoping the experienced Hunter owners could give me guidance on.
The boat and trailer is in relatively good shape, the Winch for the swing keel is shot and not attached anymore. I am looking for advise, I called Hunter and got the very limited PDF files they had on the swing keel assembly for the 1983 Hunter 20, I do appreciate them sending me very promptly what they did have. But the files did not show how and what needs to be removed to attach a new winch and rope to the swing keel. Does anyone have any experience with this situation? Also does anyone suggest a good winch replacement or any upgrades to this assembly?

Thanks!!

Hi there,

I, too, have an '83 H20. Yes, the swing keel mechanism can be a problem. I am limited in my saling area to the lakes of Colorado and surrounding states. I have NEVER sailed in salt water. So this advice may or may not be applicable to your situation.

For cable replacement, I cut a rectangular hole into the top of the keel trunk, immediately aft of the keel cable crank. Actually, 2 holes, as the cabin deck comes up and extends over the trunk. When finished, I covered them with 3/8" thick plastic, sealed with silacone seal, and well screwed down into the fiberglass. This was in 2001, and so far, no problems with leaks. I usually have to replace trhe cable about every two years.

As for the cranking mechanism itself, I would suggest contacting Fulton. My crank looks very similar to the crank on the front of my trailer, for cranking the boat onto the trailer. I periodically grease the cable and the crank mechanism. Be carefull! This can be very messy inside the boat.

If you are interested, I'll try to get some pictures that illustrate this better. Hope this helps.

 

[Paul Jacobson]

Just went out to the lake and checked on the keel winch. Mine is a Dutton-Lainson Model DL1200. I looked on trheir website, and there is no longer a model DL 1200. But there is a model DL1402A thea appears to have the same dimensions as my unit. That might be a good place to check.

The Happy Hippy

 

[Clark]

I am not familiar with the H20 so take this FWIW. If the keel is ballasted - weighing in at a few hundred pounds - be careful about the selection of a replacement winch. The Catalinas winches control up AND down via clutches in the winch itself. This prevents an accidental release and free-wheel of the winch with possible damage to self and boat.

 

[merwilk]

Here's a drawing I got from Hunter on the Hunter 20 centerboard and winch...I have had to replace the line several times...last year I replaced the sheaves the line runs on ...made a huge difference...it's working better now then when I got the boat new in '83. Had it done at a local marina who dropped centerboard assembly out of the boat...