centerboard lift wire

[bill]

Help, I have a Schwill DS16 daysailer and thecenterboard stainless steel wire which raises andlowers the centerboard broke off at the attachmentto the centerboard.  Could anyone please tell me what kind of fittingI have to attach to the wire to reattach it to thecenterboard. I suspect that it is the same kindof attachment as a lot of daysailers including O'Daytypes. If there is anyone who knows of a knowledgablesailboat repair shop in the Allentown, Pa area , Iwould like to contact this shop.Thanks for your help in advance.Daysailer Bill

 

[Howard]

Check out Good Old Boat Magazine

The last issue of Good Old Boat magazine had a long article on fixing the pendant wire on a centerboard. On a small boat it's not that difficult since you can usually flip the boat on the side to get at the centerboart and remove the pivot pin or bolt on the hull. The pivot point on the board may be visable or covered with filler. I would bet that on your boat it's visable.Good luck.

 

[R.W.Landau]

It might not have a fitting

Bill,If there was nothing still connected to the center board, it may have just been tied to itself. I have seen a few boats with this Mickey mouse system, but it works.The other idea is to design it yourself if no one responds.Maybe a swagged cable with a thimble connected with a stainless shackle....Just a thoughtr.w.landau

 

[jcherubini]

Fix the cable.

If there is no fitting remaining on the centreboard itself, one of two things has happenedÐ 1. it was Nico-Pressed on and the lead thing dissolved from electrolysis; 2. it was fitted with a swage and shackle which somehow fell off completely. I cannot believe it was somehow tied to itself (tying knots in cable doesn't really work).I assume this is 7x7 halyard-type cable and not 1x19 rigging cable. The 7x7 works best with Nico-Press and it can be done without removing anything. Get an SS thimble for going through the board and have a yard (or anyone who works with cable) fit the Nico-Press thing on. Do it yourself if you can borrow/rent the crimping tool (practise on scrap first. PLEASE). I could do it myself if I could get to your boat.Whilst it is true that you will have potential for electrolysis (again), don't worry because it won't happen overnight. Inspect it annually and keep your hull zincs maintained. An appropriately-sized Nico-Press crimping should only fail due to 1. bad installation; 2. supreme age and/or neglect (numbered in years); 3. some major accident involving the cable. In any case be nice to the rest of the cable that you can see and feel. 7x7 does not abrade well but frays and slivers till it's too small to carry a load. But 1x19 will not go over sheaves well, so there it is.JC

 

[bill]

Thanks for your help guys

to J Cherubini II , this seem like a good input and thank you for your help.to R W Landau and Howard thanks for your suggestions also.Bill