Centerboard Side to Side Swing

[Olaf8571]

Going to put 23.5 on a lift, and one thing I want to check is the amount of side to side play of the centerboard (I would think measured at bottom of centerboard)when it is fully extended. I was wondering if anyone has an idea of the allowable swing when everything is O.K..Or is there some other test or measurement point?Thanks

 

[daver]

I had that problem

I had that problem and the keel would bang loudly while at anchor. When I had the bottom painted I added shims to the keel housing. I documented it here;http://www.sailboatowners.com/upload/display.tpl?folder=73129257051&fno=17The main problem is pin for the keel gets play in it as the keel housing only has shims on the bottom. After adding my upper shims the banging stopped and has not come back in two years. I swing of the keel feels better when raising and lowering also.DaveSIMPLY MAGIC

 

[Olaf8571]

Thanks Dave

Thanks Dave, This is good information, I made a file of it. Every once in a while I have alittle banging, not very loud or strong, but since the boat is almost 10 years old, and since it will be on a lift(next week), I thought this would be a good thing to check. Do you remember if you applied side to side pressure to an extended centerboard before the mod and how much it moved? I'm looking for a way to determine if or when lateral movement is getting to where I will have to do what you did.After you installed the shims. did you check the lateral movement and if so, how much did it move? If banging gets more frequent and louder, then I will have to decide from that.Thanks again for the info!

 

[daver]

keel movement

I had alot of movement on the bottom of the keel prior to the repair. You could actually see where the keel was hitting inside the keel bracket. After the repair I had a little play still but the shims reduced it. My buddy that runs the yard felt I had to much play in the keel prior to the repair. When you drop the keel leave it the bracket and move the top od the bracket, the get some different widths of starboard and shim it on the ground and move the bracket. You can adjust the width of the starboard until you are happy with the play. I really believe there should be some sort of shim in the top side of the bracket.Dave