This is my first post. I am a very new sailor with a Hunter 14' dinghy. I have 2 small questions. (since i am so new my descriptions of things will be simple and probably inaccurate). At the end of last season, the stretchy line that seems to hold down the center board broke. I looked in the manual for how to replace it and the manual showed almost nothing. What do I purchase and where can I purchase a new line for this centerboard? The second question is about the hull. Because it was in the water (fresh water) all summer, when I took the boat out at the end of the season, it was filthy. Is there some special thing I need to do or some special process I need to go through in order to clean it? I would also appreciate suggestions about any cleaner(s) that I need to avoid. Thanks for your help. Hopefully my sophistication about boat matters will improve over time.
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- Thread starter rswitzer
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west marine (WM) has a full selection of line and shock cord. Just measure and replace. They also have the ends if you need them. The bottom of the dinghy is solved with a generous application of elbow grease and 3M scratch pads. :-( you might want to consider repainting with an anti fouling paint if she is going to be in the water that long.
Boats kept in fresh water tend to get less growth on them than when kept in salt water. In fresh water you don't get the really nasty things like barnacles that are a ***** to get off. Try to clean the bottom while it is still wet, before the weeds on the bottom dry out and get hard. Scrub brushes and pads are the answer, though getting at the bottom while the boat is on the trailer is no fun. Any teenagers around? Promising to take them sailing sometimes works (and sometimes not).
Good luck!
Good luck!
Bill-Thanks for the help. I'll check them out. I'll also get some scratch pads. I appreciate your speedy reply. Dick
I used to have teens until they grew up! Maybe there's a deal for part time teens on Craigs List. Thanks for the advice. Dick
There are a lot of car detailing products that would be suitable to clean your hull and keep it looking great. You might need to compound and polish it depending on what condition it is in (post a photo to allow appropriate advice). When that's done consider using a sealant (e.g. Chemical Guys - Jetseal 109) and a PFT (Teflon) based wax to increase the 'slipperyness' of the hull. I would also advise a pressure wash mid season. I'd disagree with antifouling the hull if you are not keeping the boat in the water most of the year, especially as you have it in fresh water. Salt water would be a very different matter. Once you put antifoul on you are committed for life to keep on maintaining it. That is one of the worst jobs in the universe if you do it yourself. I still shudder from my memory of laying under my last daysailer sanding back the old antifoul to prep it for its new coat.
Here are some other good products to consider:
A fibreglass cleaner:
http://www.collinite.com/marine-wax/fiberglass-boat-cleaner/
A very long lasting boat wax:
http://www.collinite.com/marine-wax/fleetwax-paste-wax/
A fibreglass cleaner:
http://www.collinite.com/marine-wax/fiberglass-boat-cleaner/
A very long lasting boat wax:
http://www.collinite.com/marine-wax/fleetwax-paste-wax/
The little piece of shock cord should be fairly easy to replace. My advice is to NEVER sail without it clipped after the center board is lowered, especially in any gusty or strong winds because if you get knocked down and especially if the boat turtles, the center board with retract back into the boat making it difficult to right the ship.
I saw this happen to a 170 and the boat had to be towed to the shore in order to right it.
1) Go to any sailing sailing store in your area and ask for a shock cord or an elastic rope. You can tell him this is for your centerboard. Ask somebody from your local sailing club.
2) Don't use any acidic material to clean the boat. Water, soap and very smooth waterpaper should do the job
2) Don't use any acidic material to clean the boat. Water, soap and very smooth waterpaper should do the job
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