Hi I put our boat in today,only to find the center board is stuck up inside the shoal draft keel.Is there any way I can push it down? Am I going for a swim? Will it lower by itself,with waves and rocking?
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Timm, Swimming is the safest answer...
I wouldn't try poking things! The good news is that the 25 will sail very well without the centerboard because of the keel trunk. If you can wait out the weather and water temp for a few weeks to a month, that swim woun't be so bad. I sail my boat regularly ( when just sailing) without the centerboard down. In fact when just sailing ( not trying to race anyone) I often sail on genny alone. Don't sweat it and wait for the better temps. r.w.landau
I wouldn't try poking things! The good news is that the 25 will sail very well without the centerboard because of the keel trunk. If you can wait out the weather and water temp for a few weeks to a month, that swim woun't be so bad. I sail my boat regularly ( when just sailing) without the centerboard down. In fact when just sailing ( not trying to race anyone) I often sail on genny alone. Don't sweat it and wait for the better temps. r.w.landau
- Jan 22, 2008
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similar issue last year
I had some grunge on the swing keel and it stuck up as well. I stomped on the top of th trunk with my foot a few times, with the cable just slack like a 1/2" or so, and it finally came loose. I raised and lowered it a couple of times and it has been fine since. Not sure if your design is similar, but if it is, it certainly is an affordable fix if it works. Saves you from a cold water swim!
I had some grunge on the swing keel and it stuck up as well. I stomped on the top of th trunk with my foot a few times, with the cable just slack like a 1/2" or so, and it finally came loose. I raised and lowered it a couple of times and it has been fine since. Not sure if your design is similar, but if it is, it certainly is an affordable fix if it works. Saves you from a cold water swim!
Un-stuck centerboard
I had the same problem with my C/B. I took a regular metal coathanger, pulled it out in the middle to make a big loop and asked the diver who was cleaning the hull to give it a try. No problem, the C/B dropped down. Note, hold the C/B line so the board dosen't drop all the way and hit you diver. I'm sure he will appreciate that.
I had the same problem with my C/B. I took a regular metal coathanger, pulled it out in the middle to make a big loop and asked the diver who was cleaning the hull to give it a try. No problem, the C/B dropped down. Note, hold the C/B line so the board dosen't drop all the way and hit you diver. I'm sure he will appreciate that.
Last Season
My centerboard wouldn't go up all the way when I hauled it out and the transporter had to raise the boat a bit higher on his trailer than he wanted, to avoid pressing the centerboard in by force. I few weeks ago I pried it out and cleaned the large amount of barnacles that created the problem. I used a scraper blade on a 2 x 1 piece of lumber so I could reach far into the trunk. You wouldn't believe the amount of crap that came out. Yesterday I finally got started on the bottom paint so I used a small roller to coat the trunk. Not taking any chances.
My centerboard wouldn't go up all the way when I hauled it out and the transporter had to raise the boat a bit higher on his trailer than he wanted, to avoid pressing the centerboard in by force. I few weeks ago I pried it out and cleaned the large amount of barnacles that created the problem. I used a scraper blade on a 2 x 1 piece of lumber so I could reach far into the trunk. You wouldn't believe the amount of crap that came out. Yesterday I finally got started on the bottom paint so I used a small roller to coat the trunk. Not taking any chances.
not recommended?
I've had the CB on my 23 stick on various occasions. Usually it will come loose by itself while sailing. I just leave a few inches of slack in the pendant. You don't want it to fall all the way. Once, however it wouldn't fall. I purchased a thin metal rod about 6 feet long from the hardware store and (here's the potentially scary part) gently slid it down the CB pendant tube. I firm shove and the CB was free (again, I just left a few inches of slack in the pendant). The scary part (I'm told) is that one might rupture the pendant tube and sink the boat. R.W. has far more experience than I and can probably better speak to the danger here. The part of the tube that I can access is solid.
I've had the CB on my 23 stick on various occasions. Usually it will come loose by itself while sailing. I just leave a few inches of slack in the pendant. You don't want it to fall all the way. Once, however it wouldn't fall. I purchased a thin metal rod about 6 feet long from the hardware store and (here's the potentially scary part) gently slid it down the CB pendant tube. I firm shove and the CB was free (again, I just left a few inches of slack in the pendant). The scary part (I'm told) is that one might rupture the pendant tube and sink the boat. R.W. has far more experience than I and can probably better speak to the danger here. The part of the tube that I can access is solid.
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