Drop board in a shoal keel

[Larry Ambrose]

With a small leak due to a problem with the swing-up drop board in the shoal keel of my Oday 23, I'm considering a compromise repair to taking the keel off and dismanteling the entire mechanism (too expensive by far). My repair advisor suggests removing the drop board completely and filling the space in the keel injecting foam and fiberglass. This would make sure any leak would be sealed. I've always sailed with the board down and don't know how the boat would do without it. Has anyone out there sailed the 23 extensively with the board up? How would you compare it with sailing with the board down?

 

[Seth Dixon]

Keep Your Board

I have sailed my 25 with the board up and it does not point to wind well without that board. That board is like having good tires on your car verses no tires. It may go on the rims but it doesn't handle well. The board gives your boat a way to hang on to the water aginst the wind's lateral force, therefore making you go foreward. You will find yourself drifting alee heavily without the board.Good Luck with your decision.

 

[Harley Oday 23]

find the leak save the board

I've sailed with the board up but it will no t point. Besides it is a fool proof depth finder.

 

[Don Evans]

Don't Do It

Larry, that's a one-way repair, no turning back. As the other's have stated the boat does not point well with the board up. Fix the leak. Could you describe the suspected leak in more detail and perhaps we can offer advice. You say the swing CB is causing the leak. This is hard to understand as it is well beneath the bilge area. Do you have a crack in the bilge? Is the CB pendant tube leaking? Give us more details please.Don