My boat has been sitting for several years and the centerboard won't go down. Does anyone have any suggestions? oneillm@hartwick.edu
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Warren
centerboard problems
Should be an easy fix. I had a similar problem on my recently purchased O'Day 23. You would not believe what you will find stuck in the trunk. I took a yard stick and just kept poking around until the board came loose. Mussels, clams and barnacles just to name a few items that were glued up there. Be patient and prepare for the foul odors that will be coming your way. After the board comes loose I would suggest you replace the pendent. You can order the line from Rudy at D&R Marine or make it yourself. I actually used the line from Rudy and modified it to acheive a smaller profile in the trunk. I originally had trouble completly raising the board as the shackle wedged in the trunk. This is actually one of the easiest jobs to tackle on your new boat.
Should be an easy fix. I had a similar problem on my recently purchased O'Day 23. You would not believe what you will find stuck in the trunk. I took a yard stick and just kept poking around until the board came loose. Mussels, clams and barnacles just to name a few items that were glued up there. Be patient and prepare for the foul odors that will be coming your way. After the board comes loose I would suggest you replace the pendent. You can order the line from Rudy at D&R Marine or make it yourself. I actually used the line from Rudy and modified it to acheive a smaller profile in the trunk. I originally had trouble completly raising the board as the shackle wedged in the trunk. This is actually one of the easiest jobs to tackle on your new boat.
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JT
stuck centerboard
I bought an electrical grounding rod (about 8' long and 3/8" dia. with rounded ends). I cut it to about 4' long and fed it down the CB post and tapped the centerboard down the few times it got stuck. I leave the rod on the boat. The electrical grounding rod is good because it has enough strength and it won't rust. JT
I bought an electrical grounding rod (about 8' long and 3/8" dia. with rounded ends). I cut it to about 4' long and fed it down the CB post and tapped the centerboard down the few times it got stuck. I leave the rod on the boat. The electrical grounding rod is good because it has enough strength and it won't rust. JT
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Todd Eastland
Had the same problem
Matt, If you have the time check out a previous post titled "Is beaching prudent?" My friend and I just worked through the same problem. As you'll see we were in water, it may be easier on land. Good luck.
Matt, If you have the time check out a previous post titled "Is beaching prudent?" My friend and I just worked through the same problem. As you'll see we were in water, it may be easier on land. Good luck.
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David Okin
Centerboard
Matt, Once you get your centorboard down. I would sugjest putting a rod through the bottom. This will prevent the venterboard from going all the way up into the keel. I have read about this being a common problem and this haws prevented my centerboard from getting stuck. By the way my boat sits in the mud at low tide so I feel this has saved me from many headaches. Also if you have the boat out of the water and have a cable attached to your centerboard replace the cable. Mine was rusted and broak and I had to do a short hall to fix the problem. Dave
Matt, Once you get your centorboard down. I would sugjest putting a rod through the bottom. This will prevent the venterboard from going all the way up into the keel. I have read about this being a common problem and this haws prevented my centerboard from getting stuck. By the way my boat sits in the mud at low tide so I feel this has saved me from many headaches. Also if you have the boat out of the water and have a cable attached to your centerboard replace the cable. Mine was rusted and broak and I had to do a short hall to fix the problem. Dave
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Mike
I use a rod too
although, now that I know about the s-shaped tube, I will be more careful. I bought a 1/4" four foot steel rod at the hardware store for $1.89. I wrapped one end with a little duct tape to avoid damaging anything, and use it to free the centerboard through the cockpit access tube (don't forget to unscrew and remove the plastic gromment that surrounds the pendent line). However, one simple precaution has almost eliminated my sticking centerboared. While my boat was on the hard off-season, I experimented with how far up my board would retract without sticking. I marked the pendent line with indelible marker in one color at the point where the board sticks, and in another color at a point about a foot away as a warning marker. My board never stuck last season. The "indelible" warning mark fell victim to UV rays a couple of weeks ago, and I pulled the centerboard too high and it stuck for the first time in two years. When I re-marked the warning, I used a particularly garish shade of nail polish from my wife's stash.
although, now that I know about the s-shaped tube, I will be more careful. I bought a 1/4" four foot steel rod at the hardware store for $1.89. I wrapped one end with a little duct tape to avoid damaging anything, and use it to free the centerboard through the cockpit access tube (don't forget to unscrew and remove the plastic gromment that surrounds the pendent line). However, one simple precaution has almost eliminated my sticking centerboared. While my boat was on the hard off-season, I experimented with how far up my board would retract without sticking. I marked the pendent line with indelible marker in one color at the point where the board sticks, and in another color at a point about a foot away as a warning marker. My board never stuck last season. The "indelible" warning mark fell victim to UV rays a couple of weeks ago, and I pulled the centerboard too high and it stuck for the first time in two years. When I re-marked the warning, I used a particularly garish shade of nail polish from my wife's stash.
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cee-bee
Right on Warren
You can also use elevated water pressure for some problems, 25' of garden hose, a reducer of any kind to say 3/8 hose or pipe&blast away landed or in water. should have a decent pressure source 40 psi is OK
You can also use elevated water pressure for some problems, 25' of garden hose, a reducer of any kind to say 3/8 hose or pipe&blast away landed or in water. should have a decent pressure source 40 psi is OK
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Warren
centerboard pendent
I completed the job before the boat was launched. Rudy supplied some line with a shackle, however the line that I replaced was wire and rope. I cut the wire off of the shackle and reused it. I then attached the shackle and line I purchased from D&R and it works great. I have noticed the line is wearing, so If I did this job again I would go back to the way I found it. Utilize the wire from the centerboard, then attach the line for the remainder of the run in the trunk.
I completed the job before the boat was launched. Rudy supplied some line with a shackle, however the line that I replaced was wire and rope. I cut the wire off of the shackle and reused it. I then attached the shackle and line I purchased from D&R and it works great. I have noticed the line is wearing, so If I did this job again I would go back to the way I found it. Utilize the wire from the centerboard, then attach the line for the remainder of the run in the trunk.
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Rick
centerboard fixes
Hey friend, had the same problem with my 82 o'day 23. Had the dealer take it apart and found the skeletal remains of a big catfish inside the trunk which had jammed the board. Also u might need to take hoist boat out, dry out the board and reseal as sometime they get water inside and swell up. Once you get it down don't pull it up all the way so it doesn;t get lodged again...good luck,
Hey friend, had the same problem with my 82 o'day 23. Had the dealer take it apart and found the skeletal remains of a big catfish inside the trunk which had jammed the board. Also u might need to take hoist boat out, dry out the board and reseal as sometime they get water inside and swell up. Once you get it down don't pull it up all the way so it doesn;t get lodged again...good luck,
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