I bought a used '98 Hunter 240 a little over a year ago. Since my ownership the swing keel has been VERY difficult to raise and lower and I need to use the wench handle and much effort to raise it. Is this normal? It seems like it could be off track. Is this difficult to repair? Should I replace these ropes as they seem to be getting a lot of stress from raising and lowering the centerboard often. It still works but causes me to worry. Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you.
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The swing keel
definately takes some grunting and the winch to raise. Thats why it's positioned where it is. When you are not moving and you release the keel from its retracted position it should fall promptly with a nice thud when it is all the way down. If you are motoring or sailing at a decent clip it won't drop as reddily but should still go down. Pay attention to the line and sheave directly below the mast, watch it while someone else raises and lowers the keel to make sure its turning and running true. Some boats have had problems with the sheave and pin wearing.
definately takes some grunting and the winch to raise. Thats why it's positioned where it is. When you are not moving and you release the keel from its retracted position it should fall promptly with a nice thud when it is all the way down. If you are motoring or sailing at a decent clip it won't drop as reddily but should still go down. Pay attention to the line and sheave directly below the mast, watch it while someone else raises and lowers the keel to make sure its turning and running true. Some boats have had problems with the sheave and pin wearing.
Centerboard
Dont just drop the board to hear a thud. It is very heavy and if allowed to fall freely will damage the centerboard trunk when it makes that thud. I also have had trouble raising my board as well as wearing out the turning block that leads the line back to the winch. This season I raised the turning block with a piece of starboard. This eliminated a lot of friction and I can now raise the board without the winch and no strain on the turning block. Very important because we race and raise and lower our board numerous times each race.
Dont just drop the board to hear a thud. It is very heavy and if allowed to fall freely will damage the centerboard trunk when it makes that thud. I also have had trouble raising my board as well as wearing out the turning block that leads the line back to the winch. This season I raised the turning block with a piece of starboard. This eliminated a lot of friction and I can now raise the board without the winch and no strain on the turning block. Very important because we race and raise and lower our board numerous times each race.
Raising Centerboard
It might depend on how strong you are. In my H260 the centerboard is very hard to raise unless you are moving forward. My wife always has to use the winch, I can muscle it up. The faster you are going, the easier it is to raise. I've always thought that was normal.
It might depend on how strong you are. In my H260 the centerboard is very hard to raise unless you are moving forward. My wife always has to use the winch, I can muscle it up. The faster you are going, the easier it is to raise. I've always thought that was normal.
Not a Problem
The advice so far sounds pretty good. I think you can get a better feel for the forces at work the next time she's out of the water. It's not surprising that a bit of effort is involved. I also try to avoid that "thud" on lowering the center board. If you keep an eye on the line and lower the board slowly, you'll be fine. Enjoy! -Ed
The advice so far sounds pretty good. I think you can get a better feel for the forces at work the next time she's out of the water. It's not surprising that a bit of effort is involved. I also try to avoid that "thud" on lowering the center board. If you keep an eye on the line and lower the board slowly, you'll be fine. Enjoy! -Ed
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