Can a boat be sailed with the center board up?

[Steener19]

I am writing a story that involves kids learning to sail. Can a boat like a Catalina 16.5 be sailed with the center board only part way down to allow shallower draft?

 

[Meriachee]

Raising the board downwind is a common tactic to get more speed. Upwind, not so much. In a dingy, that usually results in testing the ability of the crew to right the boat after it pitches everybody into the lake. In one club at our lake, it's a common summer entertainment, righting the boat, again and again.

 

[Steener19]

Raising the board downwind is a common tactic to get more speed. Upwind, not so much. In a dingy, that usually results in testing the ability of the crew to right the boat after it pitches everybody into the lake. In one club at our lake, it's a common summer entertainment, righting the boat, again and again.

Sounds like a fun activity!

Thanks for your response - that is much as I expected.

Cheers, Steener

 

[njlarry]

I am writing a story that involves kids learning to sail. Can a boat like a Catalina 16.5 be sailed with the center board only part way down to allow shallower draft?

Of course it can. Did all it the time as a kid in Moths, Penguins and Blue Jays. The wooden boards provided no ballast. Across or upwind just made the boat slide sideways, often done on purpose for fun or to clear a shollows, had to be done to and from the launching ramp. BTY, raising the board a little made the boats less likely to "trip" over the board during a jibe.

 

[pateco]

Used to do this while racing on a 65' centerboard ketch on downwind legs. Raise the centerboard from 10+ feet to about 3' or 4' really helped downwind speed. Lowered it back down some durring Jibes for stability.

Upwind is another story, and the centerboard really needs to be down for speed and stability.

 

[Steener19]

Thanks so much for the response.

I've had a friend who used sail acting as my "consultant" but on some points I think he is a bit too tightly focused on personal experiences. Getting more than one perspective is much better!

Steener19

 

[Steener19]

Of course it can. Did all it the time as a kid in Moths, Penguins and Blue Jays. The wooden boards provided no ballast. Across or upwind just made the boat slide sideways, often done on purpose for fun or to clear a shollows, had to be done to and from the launching ramp. BTY, raising the board a little made the boats less likely to "trip" over the board during a jibe.

I appreciate your comments. I'm trying to get a shot of realism into my story. So far it's just for the grandkids, but who knows?

What do you mean by "trip" over? I gather it's interfering with the smoothness of the jibe?

Steener19