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Old 21-03-2013, 08:09   #1
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Will hunter keel fall off?

Hello Hunter fans.
I've been looking at buying a hunter 34 from the 1980s and have found reviews rating them as being a little tender in a wind over 15.

One seller has added 400 pounds to the keel in the form of wings and claims it has stiffened the boat up nicely.
This seems like the solution, but I'm always weary of modifications and wonder if the keel bolts will hold and if there will be an excessive amount of leverage with the extra weight added.
Was this a design flaw or was the Hunter 34 designed for light wind sailing / racing?
Has anyone had any experience with this type of modification?
Please share your thoughts.
Craig
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Old 21-03-2013, 08:28   #2
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Re: Will Hunter keel fall off ?

I know nothing about moding a Hunter but I do know that adding additional weight on a keel either with wings or a new keel should be done with the assistance of a marine architect. I know people do mods like this without any expert advice but I think they are foolish. There are structural as well as sailing considerations that have to be looked at.
The Hunter 34 was a popular boat and many did quite well in beer can races.
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Old 21-03-2013, 08:30   #3
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Re: Will Hunter keel fall off ?

A concern, with such a modification, would be if anything was done to beef up the attachment at the hull to take the extra weight (especially when heeling).

Do you know the original weight of the keel before the mod?

If it is a 1980's vintage, it may very well be able to take the weight without modification.
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Old 21-03-2013, 08:30   #4
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Re: Will hunter keel fall off?

400 pounds added five or so feet down is a lot of leverage. This will have effects on many things rig loads, hull loads motion of the boat ect. I would pass on it.
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Old 21-03-2013, 08:41   #5
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Re: Will Hunter keel fall off ?

Mine fell off even without the added weight.

Structural design issues with the keel on a 450 passage. I don't know about the model you're looking at. The Hunter 450 keel can be repaired at haul out in order to prevent the keel separation from happening, but the owners need to know what to look for.

400 extra pounds is a lot of weight.
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Old 21-03-2013, 08:44   #6
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Re: Will Hunter keel fall off ?

The keel is the foundation of the boat.
Everything relies on the keel for balance and rig forces as designed.
If you cannot unbolt the keel weight modifications than I would run for the exit and not look back.
I repeat, run and do not look back.
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Old 21-03-2013, 08:58   #7
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Re: Will Hunter keel fall off ?

Thanks for the advice. I would think the extra weight would be like loading the boat with 20 cases of beer. It would'nt sail well any way.
Cheers
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Old 21-03-2013, 09:47   #8
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Re: Will Hunter keel fall off ?

Oh my, Don is gonna have a fit when he reads this thread :S Can the mods hide it from him?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenomac View Post
Mine fell off even without the added weight.

Structural design issues with the keel on a 450 passage. I don't know about the model you're looking at. The Hunter 450 keel can be repaired at haul out in order to prevent the keel separation from happening, but the owners need to know what to look for.

400 extra pounds is a lot of weight.
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Old 21-03-2013, 09:59   #9
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Re: Will Hunter keel fall off ?

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Originally Posted by s/v Jedi View Post
Oh my, Don is gonna have a fit when he reads this thread :S Can the mods hide it from him?
My first thought was also "Don related" . (anyone wanna bet on the number of posts before he appears? ).

But to get things going ........me suspects that the answer depends on how wet the Keel is.........

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Old 21-03-2013, 10:56   #10
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Re: Will Hunter keel fall off ?

I give it 5 more posts before Don comes storming in
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Old 21-03-2013, 10:56   #11
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Re: Will Hunter keel fall off ?

People can die when there is a keel failure. But safety aside, reselling her will be an issue. You will have potential buyers doubting the structural integrity of the boat, like you are now.
Good luck, hope you find your boat.
Erika

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Don hasn't written cause he is out having a blast on his Hunter :-)
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Old 21-03-2013, 11:03   #12
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Re: Will Hunter keel fall off ?

Yes it will.... it's a Hunter. Oh.... hi Don... didnt see you lurking....

Ok back to reality: a 1/2" bolt in tension will lift that whole boat out of the water. There is no reason in the world several 1" or bigger bolts will fail from adding 400 lbs to the keel... if they are in good shape. However, how well supported is the hull structure and or hull thickness...?
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Old 21-03-2013, 14:20   #13
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Re: Will hunter keel fall off?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig Cape Town View Post
Hello Hunter fans.
I've been looking at buying a hunter 34 from the 1980s and have found reviews rating them as being a little tender in a wind over 15.

One seller has added 400 pounds to the keel in the form of wings and claims it has stiffened the boat up nicely.
This seems like the solution, but I'm always weary of modifications and wonder if the keel bolts will hold and if there will be an excessive amount of leverage with the extra weight added.
Was this a design flaw or was the Hunter 34 designed for light wind sailing / racing?
Has anyone had any experience with this type of modification?
Please share your thoughts.
Craig
I think that adding 400# of non-designed ballast to a 34' boat is absolutely insane!!!!! I would run away before all the extra weight started dragging you down with it! Instead of betting on whether someone "fixed" a boats design go find one that is designed based on what you what to do. (but I know nothing about an 80s Hunter 34 and I ain't no expert)

On the plus side, you have to give credit to whoever built that boat as they must have really over-designed the stub and keel bolts to hold all that extra fat!

PS - I don't think there was a winner for the number of posts it would take me to respond. Next time sent me a PM with the proper bribe and I will try to help you in winning the pool.
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Old 21-03-2013, 14:30   #14
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Re: Will Hunter keel fall off ?

I'd really like to hear a reply form a NavArch.

I'm betting the additional force created by the moment arm ~2000 ft-lbs, will be distributed evenly among the keel boats. Thus the additional force (< 200 ft-lbs) on the keel bolts won't exceed the strength of the original keel bolts, nor that of the keel.

FWIW.
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Old 21-03-2013, 14:59   #15
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Re: Will Hunter keel fall off ?

For cruising boats, stay away from any wings on keels. Even try to stay away from bulbs. If you don't, you'll understand first time you hit the seabed... wings make pretty good anchors.

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