Center board has a hole worn in it?

[Brad Amundson]

My Center Board was not coming up all the way. I took the boat out of water to move to another lake and noticed at the end of it a hole has worn through to what looks like wood. This happened from it rubbing on the bottom of the lake over time. Should I try to patch this I can barely get at with it sitting on the trailer? Buy a new Center Board? Or just wait and see? Wait and see is not my style but I have a big week planned up in Wis. in the Apostles. It just so happens that there are several marinas up that way.Should I be in a panic right now or fix it at leisure? Board integrity still seems to exist.

 

[Sean Coerse]

Board

If you can see the wood your centerboard is sucking water every second the boat is in the water. The longer you allow this to go the more expensive and time consuming the fix. I would have the boat put in a sling drop the board, take it home dry it out, repair, and install. I know some have jacked the boat up at home. I don't feel comfortable with this and my marina only charges 70 bucks to sling it and put on stands.

 

[Jeff Peltier]

repair on the trailer

If you remove the padded 1x8's that support the centerboard for trailering, you can let the board down far enough to make the repair. You will, of course, have to let it thoroughly dry first. I usually touch mine up every spring before I put it in the water.Hope that helps.Jeff Peltier

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

repair centerboard

From the standpoint of a dealer who repairs the Hunter trailerables all the time, take the boat to a yard like Sean suggested(good reply sean)and have the center board removed. From your description, it sounds like it can be repaired but I do recommend moving it and standing it up for it to dry. This will help the water to drain from the hole. You might figure 4-6 weeks. Then glass the hole, epoxy and paint. In the meantime, check the centerboard line and replace if necessary. Crazy Cave condomOops I msispelled Jimbo

 

[Brad Amundson]

Thanks for all your help guys!!

The boat is now sitting at Crow Nest in MPS. MNand they are going to grind it down and opoxy for repair. They did not mention dryiny out time I will ask them that today. They did seem confident though that they could fix it and get me back to the Apostle islands next week. I sure hope so its my big sail this year.Thanks Again!Brad (North Bound)