Daysailor 1 center board

[KENWADUDE]

HI, I have an 85 daysailor, new to me. I am having difficulty lowering the CB unless I relieve the pressure by pushing up on it. Somebody suggested I drill a hole in the trunk and run a line to it, so I can pull up on it. Sounds resonable, but not sure.
Can anybody comment on this please!!!

Thanks so much, Kenwa

 

[Sunbird22358]

Well, they aren't completely wrong.... but you would drill the hole to allow sticking a stick in to push the Cb down a bit to get it moving.

I used to have a 1969 Widgeon that had a similar CB setup to your DS I, not exactly the same.... as I found out from talking to a friend who owned a 1984 DS I for a while.......The lever is held in by 3 screws and these adjust the ease of moving the lever as well as help to tighten the lever against the gasket. I used to have trouble with the Cb getting stuck in the full up position on my Widgeon due to a vacuum of sorts forming in the CB trunk, air couldn't get in to allow the board to drop, the suggestion of drilling a hole near the top of the CB trunk may help with that. I'd also check to be sure that there is no debris in the CB trunk that is jamming the CB. A small dab of waterproof grease on each side of the CB pivot gasket may also help. Does your boat have a pawl that holds the CB in the full up position? If so, it is standard procedure to have to pull the CB up a bit to release that pawl and lower the CB.

I'm not really as familiar with the 1980's Spindrift/Precision DS I as I am with the O'DAY models (DS I, II, III). You may want to search out answers on the Day Sailer Association Web site Q&A pages. www.daysailer.org

 

[KENWADUDE]

Thanks for that.
You suggest it is standard procedure to lift the board up, and then release Pawl (yes I do have one), but how do you do that?
I cannot move the lever in any direction to release the paw. Idon't want to force it to much in fear of breaking something.
Drilling a hole in the trunk and tying a rope on the cb sounds good, but then it may get stuck in the trunk and what will the drag of a knot and the rope have on the cb?
I might try to release the pawl while it is on the trailer before I luanch, but wondering if I might hit the bottom? We'll see.
Thanks again

 

[Sunbird22358]

I didn't have that pawl on my Widgeon (must have got lost long before I bought her) so I decided to check out the Spindrift/Rebel DS I manual that I found on-line........ guess what? No mention of that pawl or how to use it. I've added a couple of pics of the piece of the O'DAY lever assembly, if this looks anything like what is on your boat, you might get some help by calling Rudy at D&R Marine (508) 644-3001. He is an O'DAY Guru, and may have the advice you need. I still think that your best bet is to post a question on the Day sailer Class Association web site, you don't need to join to ask a question there (last time I checked?) I used to be a member of the DSA, but had to drop out after I lost my job and the dues were more than I could justify spending since I don't race. Anyway, there are a lot of DS I owners there and I'm positive that you will find at least one who owns a DS I of the same vintage and manufacturer as yours.

If it helps, here is how O'DAY described the operation of the CB.
"First push lever on centerboard trunk forward. Lift the catch at the lower forward corner of the handle and pull the handle back lowering the centerboard. Caution should be exercised always in lowering the centerboard. The catch pin can be broken, if abused. We recommend that you gently push the centerboard lever forward and then raise the catch." By "catch" they mean the pawl.