Let's predict whats keeping my centerboard out of it's keel slot!

R

rs8684

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Jul 6, 2011
32
Oday 23 Lake Nockamixon
Hello Prognosticators!

I have an 1979 O'day 23' that was a BEAR to put on the trailer last fall. For some reason, the centerboard would NOT fully retract into the keel slot. Gosh darn it, but you can lower and raise it easily, but as soon as you get it close to the keel slot, it will not go in. Obviously, she had to sit on the trailer cockeyed, with only half of the keel on the keel board. Thankfully, I only had to trailer her about a quarter mile and I have very stong side support runners. She was also a bear to put into the water this spring!

Full disclosure: Last summer I replace the original pendant line with a newer, THINNER one. I also removed the shackle and tied a good old round turn knot. The knot obviously is still holding, and is thinner than the shackle i replaced. I plan on swimming under there this summer to check out and clear the obstruction. Lord knows what I will find. It CAN'T be the new line, minus the shackle, can it? I am so curious as to see what it is. What do YOU think is the problem?

Rick.
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
may have mud or something lodged in the slot diving on it in the down position is a good thought ...also ck forward of the pivot bolt and see if any thing is in that area
 
B

Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,173
CC 30 South Florida
For how long was the boat in the water? Marine growth only takes a couple of weeks to develop and can be the cause for a blockage in the centerboard slot. If the boat is still on the trailer go ahead and support the hull so it does not move and get in there with a spade. There is either an obstruction or the board has fouled . Was the keel raising line installed correctly?
 
LeeandRick

LeeandRick

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Apr 26, 2015
663
S2 26 Mid On Trailer
I had my centerboard out last fall and noticed the slot itself (on my boat) was very narrow near the aft end about 6" from the top of the slot. After epoxy coating and bottom paint it was rubbing a little. I'm sure if mine got some crud on the board it would not retract fully. How far is it sticking out? Do you always retract it when it's in the slip? Mine sticks out about an inch since I modified the tube the line pulls through with an insert and the attachment point to the CB. I think my knot must have swollen since it retracted fully when I installed it. I modified my keel rest to accommodate this issue. Every couple of weeks I operate the CB through it's full travel several times to clean the crud.
 
Brian S

Brian S

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Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
Rick, some boats had a sheave up in the CB trunk. I'm thinking of what I know of the 222. Some of the 222's didn't have one, and it caused premature pendant wear. I'm wondering if somehow your thinner line jumped a sheave and is causing a bad angle that stops it? But then it would probably be jammed. If you even have a sheave.

Do you know any divers? A tank and underwater light would really help, it gets surprisingly dark surprisingly quickly. Well, I guess any waterproof flashlight would do. It sucks, but maybe trying to look at it sooner (with cold water, for sure) would be better than later when the water warms up and more algae grows...

I'm also trying to think of where it might be least rocky to try and careen the boat to get a look at it. There's a place on the south shore of the lake, 2 coves past Swan Cove, that had a really steep pea-gravel beach. I was able to put my bow right at the shore, and the keel wasn't touching. I doubt that would help careening the boat, but at least it didn't have a lot of rocks. We can consider that...
 
LeeandRick

LeeandRick

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Apr 26, 2015
663
S2 26 Mid On Trailer
Brian S said:
Rick, some boats had a sheave up in the CB trunk. I'm thinking of what I know of the 222. Some of the 222's didn't have one, and it caused premature pendant wear. I'm wondering if somehow your thinner line jumped a sheave and is causing a bad angle that stops it? But then it would probably be jammed. If you even have a sheave.
Click to expand
My 1978 O'Day 23 is a straight pull no sheave. I do remember the lift line had worn a groove in the front edge of the tube the lift line pulls through right where it entered the centerboard well at the top. The fiberglass tube stuck into the hole in the top of the well about an inch. A knot would get stopped in this groove.
 
R

rs8684

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Jul 6, 2011
32
Oday 23 Lake Nockamixon
Yes, but the shackle that I replaced was thicker than the knot I tied. That's why this is so perplexing!
 
R

rs8684

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Jul 6, 2011
32
Oday 23 Lake Nockamixon
Remember that haul out? My goodness. I will be able to check this out this summer. Good idea in not waiting too long or the water will cloud up...
 
R

rs8684

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Jul 6, 2011
32
Oday 23 Lake Nockamixon
Justin_NSA said:
Zebra mussels are the culprits here.
Click to expand
I remember about ten years ago I had an "infestation" of freshwater jellyfish (I don't know what their name is) that were all over the hull and keel/centerboard, making the CB very difficult to pull up. However, there was no sign of anything there this time. I think it has to be mechanical, or that a damn water bottle or something is obstructing the the CB clot.
 
Brian S

Brian S

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Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
agprice22

agprice22

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Aug 3, 2012
2,542
Performance Cruising Telstar 28 302 Watkins Glen
Garden Gnome. He is down there blocking your centerboard. Spitefull little SOB!
 
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