Buccaneer 180 Centerboard

[mrudman850]

I have to replace the line on my Buccaneer 180 centerboard and don't know how long since it's been pulled/inspected/greased. Have several questions for you all:

1) I'm thinking of building a cradle to do this job, others, and paint the hull/bottom. How much clearance from the bottom of the boat to the tip of the lowered centerboard should I allow? A cradle will allow me to work in the garage over the winter; the trailer won't fit.

2) Prior owner confessed to having a sticky centerboard. His solution was to put a hole in the top of the centerboard trunk in the cockpit and another through the trunk liner so he could push the CB down from the top when it stuck. Hole in the cockpit has a PVC plug, hole in the inner trunk is sealed with a cork! Assuming I can get the centerboard working properly, is there any reason to not repair these 'modifications' or will all centerboards stick?

3) Should I consider replacing the line with a cable and winch system like a C22? Or is that overkill on an 18' boat.



Thanks!

 

[Ray Bowles]

I just did the centerboard on an Oday 18 todaywhich is not alot different. I lowered the trailer tonque as low as possible, took 2 20 inch round firewood rounds and stood them up at the rear of the trailer. Then I placed a 8 ft 4X4 on top of the rounds spaning the rear of the boat as close to the trailer as possible. Add 2X4 blocks to raise the 4X4 so it is right against the bottom of the boat. Wedge 2X4 blocks on top of the 4X4 next to the center of the boat bottom to keep the boat from rocking while on the 4X4.under the rear of the boat. Now raise the tonque of the trailer as high as possible. The rear of the boat should now be off the trailer bunks.
Then I pulled the boat trailer forward VERY slowly. I pulled the trailer forward until the centerboard was off the end of the trailer. The boat slid back on the other rollers down the center of the trailer with no danger of damage. Now I blocked the trailer tires so the trailer couldn't move. You might want to add another 4X4 assy right forward of the C/B for additional safety. I did not as the boat was solidly resting on the trailer.
Now I droped the C/B for the repairs.
I used the trailer winch to pull the trailer back under the boat. DO NOT PULL THE BOAT TO THE TRAILER!!!!
Painting is the same basic procedure.
I would NOT use a winch on the C/B. Replace the line or cables on the C/B and lub or replace any blocks that aren't freely moving in the C/B system and it should work well enough without a winch. It is just something else to break.
Ray