lift centerboard sailing downwind ??

[Alberto Buonocore]

On smaller centerboarders, such as olympic 470s, it's common practice to lift the centerboard when sailing downwind. This also helps to withstand sudden wind gusts, as the boat can "slip" downwind on the water, not being braked by the centerboard that otherwise acts like a pivot and makes tha boat head or fall in the wind.Does anybody has good experience with similar practice with an 23.5 ?? in our case the owner manual specifies never to sail with centerboard up, as it is used also for righting moment: what happens in strong winds ??Alberto,Canta che ti Passa

 

[Wanderer138]

I agree with your thinking, but...

The 23.5 is a larger boat and your crew probably won't want to be moving around in the cockpit trying to keep the boat trimmed properly. I also don't know how easy it is to raise the centerboard on a 23.5. The couple of times that I sailed one, I left the centerboard down because I couldn't be bothered to raise it (I was sailing single-handed). I suspect that the board also helps resist rolling when going downwind. So.....if I was racing with a crew, then I'd raise the board at least part way as it will reduce drag and help increase the boatspeed. When sailing short-handed or with inexperienced crew, I would leave it alone. I hope this helps.Peterh23 "Raven"

 

[Joe R]

maybe I was very lucky...................

The last 2 sails of the season found me wanting to increase speed in order to beat my buddy. So I raised the center board in relatively high wind (around 14 knotts). Not only did I get more speed, but I noticed we did not slip sideways across the water with the wind (even when beam reaching).There was one gust that had us heeled over so far I fell off the seat onto the cockpit floor (moving the balast the wrong way). She held course and did not heel any more than with full center board.I dont think the board was cranked completely up, but it was close to minimum exposure.DOES ANYONE KNOW FOR SURE IF I WAS ABOUT TO SCREW UP BIG TIME? or can we sail a H240 in strong cross wind with the centerboard up without fear of disaster????????????????????thanksJoe R (enjoy winter on the hard all)