Centerboard Problems

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J

John

While putting the centerboard down, the cable snapped. The centerboard is now down ,but I can't pull it up.I have a couple of questions. First, can I sail the boat this way ? I'm in a slip and I won't have to pull the centerboard up until I take the boat out of the water in the fall. Is there any danger in sailing the boat this way ? Second, how do I go about fixing this problem ? How do I get access to the centerboard where the cable is attached? Do I have to take the boat out of the water to repair it ? Where can I get information about how the cable is attached to the centerboard. Any information would be appreciated.
 
L

Les

Fix it Now

Do it now if you can. Can you beach the boat and roll it up on it's side or is it too big for that. Do you put it on a trailer in the off season, If you wait and anything grows on the board, you may have trouble geting it go up as you put it on the trailer and it it does go up you many have trouble getting to drop down again. You need to get to the board to recrimp the wire cable or replace the wire cable. If you sail with it like that and it gets stressed over center it could cause problems at the mounting point. Good Luck Les
 
V

vince

put up the centerboard

I heard of a way to temporarily put up the centerboard. Two people take a rope from the bow and while holding it tight against the bottom of the baot, walk back. when you reach the centerboard, it will pull it up and you can tie off the rope until you get to shore to take the boat out. I've never done this, but it sounds like it would work. Best wishes!
 
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Geof Tillotson

Fix it now

We had a Flying Scot that we raced when I was a kid, along with an O'Day 15, and we would take them out onto the beach a couple of times a month to clean the bottom. We would rest the boat on "older" boat cushions and use the main halyard to pull her over onto her side. Just grab it and hike out. We would always coax the centerboard out and clean it too. Placing a weight, like a cinder block, onto the mast tip, of course with a cushion between the two, to hold the mast down against the ground while we worked on the boat. If you have a grassy area close to where you sail, all the better!! I know it sounds harsh to put your boat over on it's side, but if you do it carefully, and pull all the loose gear out of it, you will probably be none the worse for wear when you are done. This is also how we fixed the wind indicator, replaced the halyards etc. It was easier and faster than de-rigging etc. Geof
 
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Pat Corbett

You can fix it easily enough

Ther is no danger in sailing the boat through all points of wind with the board down. (Its like a small keel).Just know your draft. But don't leave it down all summer without bottom paint on it, for all the reasons mentioned below. I know from experience. Now, to fix it: When all the way down, the board will show the hole through which the line was secured. It will be by the trailing edge the edge (toward the stern), up near the bottom of the boat. It might still have the remnant of the old line still attached. Drop a new line down through the hole in the centerboard trunk, about 3-4 foot. If you can hold your breath, put on a mask and dive under. You will see it dangling. After you come up for air a few times, you can thread it through the hole in the board. Then, tie a knot or crimp it, pull up from the cockpit end and you will have fixed the problem.I also used to fix things by beaching at high tide,and working at low tide, as described below. The alternative I describe sometimes works before you have to do that.Good luck!
 
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