Centerboard seems stuck in the up position (O'Day 222)

[Mhertz]

Any ideas on how to release it?

 

[Brian S]

Time to go swimming? I don't think the painter is routed in a straight line, so you can't push from above with a rod.

I imagine you might need to fabricate a custom device to help pull it down. Something you can slide up the back of the CB trunk, and get over the top of the CB, so that you could pull directly on the CB.

 

[keary N]

On my 22, I removed the painter cover, removed the upper rubber tube and pushed it down using a batten.
Reassembled and sponged out the water. Since then, I am careful not to pull up too hard.
Good luck
Keary

 

[agprice22]

Any thought on WHY it is getting stuck? Seems it should fall freely with release of the centerboard line. Failure to release freely seems to indicate a problem. Perhaps get it free with a stick for now, but look at it more closely at season's end.

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[keary N]

Any thought on WHY it is getting stuck? Seems it should fall freely with release of the centerboard line. Failure to release freely seems to indicate a problem. Perhaps get it free with a stick for now, but look at it more closely at season's end. Thanks, Andrew

I've had the following items cause this over the years
Growth in the C B well
Split in C B causes it to swell
Pendant knot too large

Have fun
Keary

 

[Ward H]

I struggled for 2 seasons with my CB getting stuck in the up position. Last spring out of desperation after trying many things, I ordered a new shackle from D & R Marine and compared it to the one I was using. That is how I found the problem. Someone had replaced the clevis pin and it was 5mm too long and would jam in the CB slot.

 

[rs8684]

Every year, my 23' gets the CB stuck inside the keel. I have a hard, straight wire about 3 feet long. I remove the pendant cover and push it in and Viola! The CB goes down and I am good for another season. I make it a point not to retract it into the keel all summer until it is time to haul out.

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

often you can make it unstuck by motoring for quite awhile to rinse the slot. Also sometimes just jumping up and down gently a few times on the cabin floor will help. Best of luck.

 

[Tom J]

I had the same problem with my old O'Day 23. First season it happened, I dove under the boat and pulled it down, and left it down for the season. Scale had built up inside the CB slot. I eventually made a CB out of 1/2" steel plate, added a 10 to 1 winch, and never had a problem with the CB sticking again.