I recently purchased an O'Day 222 from the original owner. The boat has a retractable keel. The boat is now launched and on a mooring in the Long Island Sound. However, the centerboard is stuck. It might have some barnacles or other growth preventing it from dropping down. Is there anyway to fix this problem without taking the boat to a marina and having it pulled out of the water? Any practical advice would be appreciated. -Novice Sailor
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I recently purchased an O'Day 222 from the original owner. The boat has a retractable keel. The boat is now launched and on a mooring in the Long Island Sound. However, the centerboard is stuck. It might have some barnacles or other growth preventing it from dropping down. Is there anyway to fix this problem without taking the boat to a marina and having it pulled out of the water? Any practical advice would be appreciated. -Novice Sailor
- Jan 22, 2008
- 519
had the same problem
I let is sit for a day or two in the water, then thumped on the cb trunk with my foot, and down it came. Soaking in water a few days will soften the grunge. If you do have to go under, a long bread knife along the sides seems to work wonders.
I let is sit for a day or two in the water, then thumped on the cb trunk with my foot, and down it came. Soaking in water a few days will soften the grunge. If you do have to go under, a long bread knife along the sides seems to work wonders.
- Jan 22, 2008
- 519
had the same problem
I let is sit for a day or two in the water, then thumped on the cb trunk with my foot, and down it came. Soaking in water a few days will soften the grunge. If you do have to go under, a long bread knife along the sides seems to work wonders.
I let is sit for a day or two in the water, then thumped on the cb trunk with my foot, and down it came. Soaking in water a few days will soften the grunge. If you do have to go under, a long bread knife along the sides seems to work wonders.
Stuck centerboard
Robert, Try untying the centerboard pendant line, and re-tie it with about 3 inches of slack in the rope. As the boat rocks up and down on her mooring, the centerboard may free itself. When the water gets a little warmer, go underwater with a long bread knife as Roger said, and just scrape the inside of the keel around the centerboard. Good luck! Joe
Robert, Try untying the centerboard pendant line, and re-tie it with about 3 inches of slack in the rope. As the boat rocks up and down on her mooring, the centerboard may free itself. When the water gets a little warmer, go underwater with a long bread knife as Roger said, and just scrape the inside of the keel around the centerboard. Good luck! Joe
success
We had a diver go undet the boat with a scraper as I jumped up and down on the centerboard console. We were able to free the retractable keel and went for a wonderful sail. Is it O.K. to leave the keel down when the boat is on a mooring? Robert on the Long Island Sound
We had a diver go undet the boat with a scraper as I jumped up and down on the centerboard console. We were able to free the retractable keel and went for a wonderful sail. Is it O.K. to leave the keel down when the boat is on a mooring? Robert on the Long Island Sound
Success
Robert, I wouldn't leave the centerboard down while it's on the mooring for three good reasons; the board is more likely to collect more barnacles if it is left down making it harder to get at and clean. The constant movement of the board caused by wave action can cause wear on the fiber pivot pin, and if the boat ever breaks free of the mooring, you stand the possibility of losing your centerboard. A friend of mine just bought a MacGregor 26 and he has some concerns about getting at the inside of his keel slot to coat with bottom paint. His wife came up with a great idea. She said, " why not take an old sock and tie it to the flat end of a fly swatter, and use it like a paint brush?" What a brilliant idea! I'm going to give that a shot the very next time I do my bottom paint. Joe
Robert, I wouldn't leave the centerboard down while it's on the mooring for three good reasons; the board is more likely to collect more barnacles if it is left down making it harder to get at and clean. The constant movement of the board caused by wave action can cause wear on the fiber pivot pin, and if the boat ever breaks free of the mooring, you stand the possibility of losing your centerboard. A friend of mine just bought a MacGregor 26 and he has some concerns about getting at the inside of his keel slot to coat with bottom paint. His wife came up with a great idea. She said, " why not take an old sock and tie it to the flat end of a fly swatter, and use it like a paint brush?" What a brilliant idea! I'm going to give that a shot the very next time I do my bottom paint. Joe
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