Changing Center Board Depths

[Rusty]

I have moved from sailing a scow (a Melges M-16) to a 170. I don't race, I sail!!! Proper sailing "techniques" have the center board position varying from full down, when sailing close on the wind, to full up when running. Does anyone pay any attention to this when sailing this style boat, or better yet is there any real reason to not just put the board down and go? This question is not keeping me up at night but I would like to see others opinions.Thanks!Rusty

 

[Chuck Faraci]

Only when I am bobbing rather than sailing

I leave the centerboard down in my 170 almost all the time. If I am running downwind and the wind dies, I will raise it to get what little movement I can. I sail to relax, not to race.

 

[Don Enstrom]

Drag eduction

I raise the CB to about 30 degrees from the horizontal on a run or under power (2 hp) - the reduction in drag is noticeable in both cases.