Centerboard

May 2, 2011
4
Hunter 260 La Parguera
After getting grounded the centerboard was destroyed and I had to build a new one. Now the new one is too light and it will not lower by itself. How much weight should I add so the centerboard lowers itsel when the rope is released?
Alberto Marty
 
Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
A How much weight should I add so the centerboard lowers itsel when the rope is released?
Alberto Marty
Enough so it sinks?

Assuming your board is 6 foot x 1 foot x 1 inch (average), it would displace about 30 pounds of water. 40 lbs would do it. Use lead near the bottom edge.

Then see if it sinks.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,531
-na -NA Anywhere USA
On page 51 A & B you will see a diagram of the centerboard. I assume you are in a different country. I cannot recall the specific but believe the board is around 110 pounds. It is a fiberglass with construction foam for light weight with a stainless steel frame inside. The first key is weight or you will not get it up if too heavy. Then there needs to be a concentration of structural integrity in the head of the board where it pivits not to mention the precise holes that have to be drilled for the pin and uphaul.
line. If you do not know how to do this, I suggest that you think otherwise and simply order a new centerboard. It can be purchased thru this forum site store.

If you feel that you can build one, I suggest contacting Bob Walker at BobWalker10@aol.com or call him at 352-529-1104 as he owns Foss Foam Products of Florida which is a division of New Rudders or Newrudders.com. He would know and may share the schematics of that centerboard as he built them for Hunter.

Again I would suggest biting the bullet and purchase one.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,531
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Regular guy;

May I suggest if leaving the mast up other than taking the mast up and down, keep that forestay attached. I have seen a mast fall when the wind took it down as the owner left the mast up just using the mast raising as an attachment to keep the mast up for sometime. I saw this in your picture. In addition, I would not suggest anyone going on board when the boat is on the stands. Call me being cautious as I like to see folks safe and around. A+ for using 8 stands sir.
 
Jan 18, 2014
238
Hunter 260 Palm Coast, FL
Regular guy;

May I suggest if leaving the mast up other than taking the mast up and down, keep that forestay attached. I have seen a mast fall when the wind took it down as the owner left the mast up just using the mast raising as an attachment to keep the mast up for sometime. I saw this in your picture. In addition, I would not suggest anyone going on board when the boat is on the stands. Call me being cautious as I like to see folks safe and around. A+ for using 8 stands sir.
Hi Dave,
Your concerns for the safety of us when working on the boat is appreciated! In this particular picture I was in the process to relieve the pull of the forestay on the deck shell by taking the mast down; some sealing work had to be done. I will try to phone; hope the number got still works.
Hart
 
May 24, 2004
7,202
CC 30 South Florida
Give us an idea on how you build the new one and indicate how much it weighs. I tend to side with Crazy Dave that the proper solution would be to purchase a replacement. I know the waters in La Parguera, Puerto Rico are very skinny so you may not want a board built of a material too strong that would damage the boat hull in case of another grounding.