Leaving center board down while moored...

[BlueRunner]

Is there any downside (other than becoming untied and drifting to the beach) to leaving the center board down while moored or at a dock? I only had my boat on a mooring about 6 weeks last year and always pulled the board up.

I'm just wondering if anyone in this situation has left their center board down during an entire summer.

Seems like the boat would be a little more stable while moored with the board down.

 

[Benny]

The downside may be that marine growth may prevent you from raising the board next time you want to. There is really no advantage to leaving it down. Now if it were a ballasted swing keel that would make a difference.

 

[BlueRunner]

Now if it were a ballasted swing keel that would make a difference.

If I were to leave the center board down, it would only be in fresh water, but even there I've noticed some green slime. Per your reply above, I'm not sure what the definition of a "ballasted" swing keel" is, but my center board sure seems heavy when I pull it up.