I decided it was time to take my boat in. I could not procrastinate any more. It was time to deal with the centerboard. The hydraulic cylinder was definitely broke. Sail Tec was helpful but there solution was for me to send them the cylinder and they would tell me how much it would cost to fix it or replace it. According to Sail Tec the hydraulic cylinder on newer H216 has been improved. I may be better off getting the new improved cylinder rather than fixing the old one. I will see what Sail Tec recommends. Raising the centerboard was fairly easy. When the board is all the way down there is no tension on the cable. I removed the cotter ring pulled the pin and put a shackle on the cable. I then placed a chain across the rear two cleats. I used a chain because I happened to have one in the work shop and figured it would be better to have something that would not stretch. I am sure you could also use a line that was strong enough. I then hooked a come-a-long between the chain and the shackle I put on the cable from the centerboard and just ratcheted up the center board. It was a breeze. Again I just happen to have the chain and come-a-long. I believe you could also use the main sheet tackle. Attach the blocks form the boom to the two rear cleats and the block from the deck to the cable to the centerboard. Hope this helps anybody this happens to. Gary