Mac26 Dagger board

[Pest UK]

At the end of last season I managed to lose my dagger board, don't know how, just ended up with two pieces of rope with knots in the end (one for raising and the other as a 'retainer'). I now have one on order. Has anyone out there suffered the same fate? If so have you overcome the possibility of a recurrance?
I am considering having one made up from sheet stainless steel instead of the GRP original, same profile, length etc. with the option of filling the bottom 12-18 inches with lead. I would obviously need a lifting system for the extra weight and could use a rod as a retainer. Your thoughts would be appreciated, but I'd prefer you to type them into the forum.
Sorry I have no photos of the dagger board, although I'm sure, in this case they're not necessary.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

ss dboard cost?

I've been meaning to replace both my dboard lines... but I want to drop it thru the bottom vs unbolting some blocks and plates that are well sealed.

did both lines fail? or the fiberglass failed? -not sure by your description.

 

[r.oril]

Makes me want to replace the safety line soon. I want to change mine for a new Rudder Craft before next season and like Mr Bill, I want to take it out through the bottom.
I'm thinking that a steel DB would be likely to mess up the boat if you hit something.

 

[Pest UK]

MrBill, As I said, " Just ended up with two peices of rope with knots in the end", no fibreglass, so there are two possibilities 1) The board broke at the holes 2) The knots in the rope pulled through the holes. The ropes did not break. I was surprised to find the knots were just normal overhand and not 'figure of eight' or other stopper Knot, also there were no washers of any form to stop the Knots pulling through. As to cost, I don't know as I have not got the new GRP board yet to give a pattern for what I want. But one word comes to mind "expensive". The GRP cost is £261 Sterling. I didn't have to pay carriage from the U.S. as it was put in an imported M26 but cost £20 to deliver from North Essex, about 80 miles away. Petrol (sorry gas) is around £1.20 per LITRE,(about £5.40 for 1 imperial gallon (slightly more than U.S. gallon), so it would be cheaper. Sorry I digress.
r.oril

 

[Pest UK]

r oril You're right about boat damage if I hit something, I'll think on it. Something else to think on, I haven't measured my retaining line but if it is made longer so that if the lifting line 'gives' the retaining line will allow the DB to stay attached to the boat and short of the prop, albeit under the boat, and therefore recoverable.
Your thoughts are welcome always. Had some snow a couple of weeks ago, about 18 inches (thats a lot for us and early), all gone now but expecting some more soon.There I go digressing again, sorry.

 

[oreana123]

If you want a daggerboard made by Rudder Craft, expect to pay handsomely for it. The size of the piece of plastic sheet cut for the blank ruins a lot of material, resulting in a lot of wasted plastic, which is why Rudder Craft rarely makes them.

 

[Pest UK]

Thanks Oreana, everything costs a lot on a boat. If I decide against the stainless DB I'll try another way to attach the GRP one, A knot in a hole hardly seems adequate. I tried tacking without the daggerboard, even with jib furled, she didn't want to know. Admitted, not much wind or speed. Had to use the engine to tack. I'll let you Know cost of SS DB when I Know.

 

[Pest UK]

Quote for stainless D/Brd £1,000 that does not include lead for extra 'keel' weight. Decided to carry on with the GRP. For ease of lifting I've mounted a block on the top of the D/brd, looped a 6mm line round it, one end through a 6mm hole in the mast step plate with a 'figure of eight' stopper knot inside a parrel ball, the other end lead back to the cockpit via the usual route. The retaining line is 8mm, knotted (figure of 8), through the original hole in the mast plate on one end. The other end goes into the original manufacturers hole (which is too big) with a SS washer and figure of eight knot with enough line left to be pulled through an 8mm hole I drilled through the top of the D/brd and knotted leaving a little slack line to tell me if the first knot has pulled through its hole.
Next time you get your D/brd out check the holes that let the water/air in/out of it. My NEW one had the two top holes (1/2") drilled into the solid top of the D/brd!! And the 1" holes cut to allow the retaining knots to be tied and left inside the D/brd had covers over them. Is it me or is Mr. Macgregor losing it?

 

[dhmurphy]

Planning on pulling mine out Monday and replacing the lines and checking the glass at the bottom. It's just too hot here in NC for me to go sailing.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

let us know what you end up with! good luck!!!


pics
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/MACGREGOR/db1a.jpg
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/MACGREGOR/db3.jpg
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/MACGREGOR/db5.jpg
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h169/ftldiver2/MACGREGOR/P1010018.jpg

 

[monkeybars]

hard to believe it just fell off with out you noticing. one other possibility was someone stole yours off your boat to replace his crunched one.

 

[Pest UK]

Well Ray it may be difficult to believe but I know I had it when I started on the days sail because I lowered it, and the knot in the end would not be heavy enough to pull the line down into the D/brd trunk. As to someone stealing it, the mast has to be unstepped to pull the D/brd up out of the trunk, and I think I'd have noticed if the mast was not as I'd left it, vertical. Do you think it is possible that someone would dive under the boat, lower the D/brd through the bottom of the hull, undo the knots in the D/brd lines. then after removing the D/brd re-tie the knots in the lines? I think not.

 

[Lost Horizon]

You must'ave run into something

 

[Lost Horizon]

Please keep us posted as to any performance improvements with the new keel. I was thinking seriously about reinforcing the sleeve and adding some lead shot to mine. Mike Enmon (I think I spelled it right) a SoCal Mac dealer, did something similar (his 26D had a defunk ballast tank removed) with some racing successes, until they outlawed him.