Centerboard Stuck Up on ODay 20.

[sailinsally]

Does anyone have advice on getting the centerboard down on an ODay 20?

She is in the water, no trailer. The centerboard is stuck in the up position.

I tried using a 1/8 inch dowel, then some strategic banging along the keel... nothing budges yet. I think she might have been sitting on the muddy bottom a few times during very very low tides this winter...

We had the same problem last year, and it was remedied after bottom cleaning and painting (cleaning was long overdue - last year was our first year of ownership.) The bottom is basically pretty clear of barnacles etc this year...

Also, there seems to be a slight leak in the interior pipe that houses the centerboard rope, it only leaks when we pull on the rope. It looks like an old issue. Patch that a little with fiberglass right?

Trying to avoid snorkeling... beaching might be in our future? Is this a common issue?

Love this boat and want to get out sailing.

 

[mauruuru]

I had an Oday30 CB that would find the bar ( sand not alcohol)! Everytime I'd try to cut the corner for the main channel. Usually dropped after banging across some power boat wakes but one tume I had to haul it and pressure wash out all the zebra mussels in the CB trunk. Good news it was wuick and relatively cheap and theresfter boat wakes worked again!

 

[Ward H]

Sounds like you need a pry bar to get it down. Not sure how you would do it on the beach. Probably need to go snorkeling or have it short hauled.
One trick I was taught that when raising the board, pull it up and let it down a few times before pulling it all the way up. That shakes any mud and crap off the CB and the up/down action creates a suction that cleans the CB trunk.
On my 25, the line has cut a groove where it enters the tube. When I put a new line on, the thicker part due to the eye splice got caught in the groove. I leave the CB down a few inches.

Some have reported the CB can absorb water and swell, causing it to stick in the up position.

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

Often if the board is not super encrusted, if you go out and motor along for a mile or so it will rinse the slot enough that the board will drop on it's own. Good luck.

 

[keary N]

Had the same problem with my 22 after tailoring each time. First solution was warm water swim with channel lock pliers. Took the rubber handle put it up between cb end and the housing near the pendant line and pried down successfully doesn't take much.
This year put boat in , in May, water is cold. Result, got the pump ready, undid the hard pendant tube and pushed the cb down with a batten use one 2'+ in length. Put tube back on and pump out a few gallons of water.