The weighty topic of Hunter Delta lifting keels
Q i own a Hunter delta 25 called Sequester, hull no008, sail no18, and i appreciate all of Peter K Poland’s articles – especially those regarding david thomas and Hunter delta lift-keelers! i would like to ask Peter’s advice regarding the advisability of allowing the delta’s lifting keel to take the weight of the hull while alongside scrubbing posts. i should like to do this, with care, once a year to simplify maintenance.
On another topic, hull no008 must be one of the earliest, although some papers say it was built in 1985. is there any information available regarding the background of this yacht? James Frame By email PETER K POLAND REPLIES: Thanks for your kind words, James: I am delighted you enjoy my scribblings! I never tried to dry out a Delta standing on its ‘locked down’ lifting keel, so I can’t say this is safe. And, sadly, designer David Thomas and Hunter’s manufacturing director Derek Chardin are no longer with us, so they can’t bring their engineering brains to bear on your question.
If you tried to stand your yacht on its keel, the weight of the boat would be taken by the special keel locking bolts that are built into the GRP keel box. However, this system was designed to keep the keel outside the boat in the very unlikely event of an inversion, so any strains would be put on the locking system by the weight of just the keel – not of the whole hull, rig, engine, gear stowed inside, etc.
Have you tried scrubbing the hull when she is afloat? If you connect two lengths of rope to the ends of a strip of carpet – about 8in wide and 6ft long, from memory – and then lift the keel, you can walk from stem to stern, gently pulling the carpet from side to side (rather like drying your back after a swim), and clean the hull that way. You can also clean quite a lot of the keel in its raised position (from inside the boat) with a small brush on a long stick or handle, but keep your hands well clear of the inside of the keel box itself in case the keel accidentally drops. You can’t be too careful with heavy lifting objects.
You also need to be sure that the lifting strops, hydraulic pump, support pillar, ‘lock down bolts’ and their anchoring points are all in good condition.
I am afraid I can’t tell you much about the background of your yacht because all Hunter Boats’ records went to Cornish Crabbers when its holding company Select Yachts (now deceased) bought our company in 2003. I believe these records then went to the new British Hunter company, based in Woolston, Hampshire, when the mould tools and rights were sold on.
I hope you continue to enjoy sailing your Delta 25. She’s one of the most versatile (and enjoyable) yachts that David ever designed.