centerboard stuck up

[jack dooley]

I am a new owner of an O'day 222 (1984) and love the boat. Recently I had the misfortune of a soft grounding which seems to have caused my centerboard to stick in the up position. Right after the incident, the centerboard would not release, then it did on two occasions, but for the past two weeks it won't come down at all. It would appear that there is no way to work on this problem on the trailer as there is no way for the board to drop while on the trailer. So, my question is how can I try to resolve this problem without incurring lots of cost. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Bob]

Stuck

I think I would try some way to get a high-pressure hose nozzle into the well from under the boat to flush the mud or whatever out. Could posssibly be done while in the water but more difficult. Otherwise try jacking the boat up slightly off the trailer just enough to get the nozzle close enoiugh to squirt a stream in.

 

[Roger]

while in shallow water

While in shallow water say 4 or 5 feet deep go under with an elongated coat hanger and slip it up and around the end of the swing keel and pull down. Have someone in the boat, or yourself prior, lower the mechanism only an inch or so. You should start to see if it will start coming down. (Yes you will have to hold your breath!)Another similar method to clean the trunk is to get under it with a bread knife and start getting some of the crud out alongside the keel. This can be done either on the trailer, or while in the water. Neither methods are particularily enjoyable!I was lucky in mine, I gave a hard stop with my foot on the top of the swing keel trunk, and it popped down the inch or so slack I gave it. I then went sailing and washed out whatever was in there.

 

[jack dooley]

thanks

Thanks for both replies. i think I'll try Roger's first and hope it works so I can continue to enjoy my new toy for the rest of what's turning into a glorious fall sailing season here on Cape Cod.