Well it finally happened. The rope that lifts my center board broke this weekend. I have the boat on the trailer. Having seen previous posts on this matter, am I foolish to try and fix this myself? I know we will need to lift the boat off the trailer. Has anyone done this 'at home' before? Has anyone ever replaced the rope with a stainless cable? Thanks
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Need bottom paint
That’s the time to do the job – while it’s up on the stands. If not, you may get a yard to lift you at the end of the day so you can work on it while on the hoist (not everyone will allow this however).
That’s the time to do the job – while it’s up on the stands. If not, you may get a yard to lift you at the end of the day so you can work on it while on the hoist (not everyone will allow this however).
Keel Rope
Corky: I follow this thread closely because I'm convinced that it's just a matter of time...but the concensus seems to be it's pretty simple job but you'll need to put the boat on a sling or go diving. Let us know how it works out.
Corky: I follow this thread closely because I'm convinced that it's just a matter of time...but the concensus seems to be it's pretty simple job but you'll need to put the boat on a sling or go diving. Let us know how it works out.
I've done it a couple times
Once on a brand new boat that was mis-rigged and another that was tired. Both times, I put it on a boat lift to drop the centerboard bracket. The line is 7/16" x 18' as I recall and it doesn't take very long. The blocks aren't made for cable, so you would have to do some modifications to make that work. I have another I'm scheduled to change and that's a 98 that has never been done, so I don't think it's something worth modifying. You probably need about 12" clearance to be able to drop the bracket out of the slot to change the line. Be sure to get 5200 in and around the bolt when replacing, so you don't have leaks.
Once on a brand new boat that was mis-rigged and another that was tired. Both times, I put it on a boat lift to drop the centerboard bracket. The line is 7/16" x 18' as I recall and it doesn't take very long. The blocks aren't made for cable, so you would have to do some modifications to make that work. I have another I'm scheduled to change and that's a 98 that has never been done, so I don't think it's something worth modifying. You probably need about 12" clearance to be able to drop the bracket out of the slot to change the line. Be sure to get 5200 in and around the bolt when replacing, so you don't have leaks.
H26/260 Centerboard Line
Corky: This would be an ideal subject for the Knowledgebase. A description of what you did and maybe some pics would help. We'll all be grateful
Corky: This would be an ideal subject for the Knowledgebase. A description of what you did and maybe some pics would help. We'll all be grateful
Here's a few details
We use vertical lift boat lifts up here and that works quite well for changing the line. Another option would be to borrow a trailer from someone with a shoal keel. Some examples are Seaward 25, Compact 25, or Catalina 25 swing keel. I secure a line about 2/3 back from the front of the centerboard going up on both sides of the boat. This carries the majority of the weight while removing and installing the centerboard. There is a 1/2" bolt underneath the inspection cover behind the compression post below the table that holds the assembly in place. It most likely has a fair amount of 5200 smeared around it that must be cut off. Remove this bolt while someone is holding the board from below. The pivot assembly will now come down so you can change the line. For re-assembly, run the new line down the tube around the turning block in the assembly and into the centerboard with an end knot. Have a person hold the centerboard assembly in place (again, using a line underneath the boat helps take much of the weight off the portion the person is holding up). Use of a punch to line up the holes helps make the insertion of the bolt much easier. Once the bolt has started, but still loose, have the person below hold the assembly up tight while you work 5200 underneath the bolt head & washer before tightening the bolt. Add a little more 5200 around the bolt head, washer area when finished to ensure no leaks (This area is slightly below the water level when the boat is filled with water ballast, so it's important to have a good seal.
We use vertical lift boat lifts up here and that works quite well for changing the line. Another option would be to borrow a trailer from someone with a shoal keel. Some examples are Seaward 25, Compact 25, or Catalina 25 swing keel. I secure a line about 2/3 back from the front of the centerboard going up on both sides of the boat. This carries the majority of the weight while removing and installing the centerboard. There is a 1/2" bolt underneath the inspection cover behind the compression post below the table that holds the assembly in place. It most likely has a fair amount of 5200 smeared around it that must be cut off. Remove this bolt while someone is holding the board from below. The pivot assembly will now come down so you can change the line. For re-assembly, run the new line down the tube around the turning block in the assembly and into the centerboard with an end knot. Have a person hold the centerboard assembly in place (again, using a line underneath the boat helps take much of the weight off the portion the person is holding up). Use of a punch to line up the holes helps make the insertion of the bolt much easier. Once the bolt has started, but still loose, have the person below hold the assembly up tight while you work 5200 underneath the bolt head & washer before tightening the bolt. Add a little more 5200 around the bolt head, washer area when finished to ensure no leaks (This area is slightly below the water level when the boat is filled with water ballast, so it's important to have a good seal.
How do you get the boat on trailer...
...after the rope breaks? Do you just gently let the centerboard hit the ground and trailer and kick up into place? (Mine hasn't broke yet) ...RickM...
...after the rope breaks? Do you just gently let the centerboard hit the ground and trailer and kick up into place? (Mine hasn't broke yet) ...RickM...
Easy One Rick
Drop a line off the bow and run each enad down either side of the boat. I think down to the winches is a good spot to tighten it up pulling the centerboard up and holding it there. Just running it up onto the trailer works well too.
Drop a line off the bow and run each enad down either side of the boat. I think down to the winches is a good spot to tighten it up pulling the centerboard up and holding it there. Just running it up onto the trailer works well too.
rope
We looped a rope around the board back onto the boat. I did have a problem as on one side the rope caught on the trailer and made hard to winch the boat up. I should had known from past experience that if it is hard to winch that something was wrong. I figured it out when a cleat broke. It is ok. We will see how we fix this. I plan to take it to a dealer as I do not have a way of lifting the boat safely. I have to drive it two hours to the dealer. Oh well, the life of an inland sailor. ct
We looped a rope around the board back onto the boat. I did have a problem as on one side the rope caught on the trailer and made hard to winch the boat up. I should had known from past experience that if it is hard to winch that something was wrong. I figured it out when a cleat broke. It is ok. We will see how we fix this. I plan to take it to a dealer as I do not have a way of lifting the boat safely. I have to drive it two hours to the dealer. Oh well, the life of an inland sailor. ct
getting the rope down
Just so you all will know I spend most of the weekend trying to get the rope down the tube and lots of other things. The thng that worked the first time was 12' of light pull chain. It fell through the hole. I am not going to be able to take the boat to the dealer so are going to do it ourselves and with the notes listed here I think we can. I will let you know in a couple of weeks when we fix it.
Just so you all will know I spend most of the weekend trying to get the rope down the tube and lots of other things. The thng that worked the first time was 12' of light pull chain. It fell through the hole. I am not going to be able to take the boat to the dealer so are going to do it ourselves and with the notes listed here I think we can. I will let you know in a couple of weeks when we fix it.
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