O'Day Javelin Loose Centerboard

[tgelsner]

Hi All -

New to the world of sailing so I have a few questions for anyone familiar with the O'Day Javelin. When we capsized the boat for the first (and I'm pretty sure not the last) time, I went around to the bottom of the boat and the centerboard was no longer out but had slipped back into the "trunk". It took 2 of us to pull it out far enough to get leverage to upright the boat by which time it had turtled and bent the mast. Can anyone fill me in on why the centerboard slipped back in so easily with the boat on its side? What can we do to remedy this?

Also, we can't seem to keep the rudder from kicking up at the joint no matter how tight the wingnut is. Any suggestions for preventing this?

Thanks for any help or suggestions......

Tammy

 

[Sunbird22358]

Simple answer to why the CB retracted, it weighs 49# and pivots easily on the pivot bolt. Capsizing IS NOT inevitable! I have sailed for 22 years (1988-95 in a WIDGEON, 1996-present in a DS II) without capsizing and I sail on windy Buzzards Bay. The secret is to ALWAYS sail with the mainsheet in hand, use the camcleat provided to hold the tension, but with the sheet in hand you can quickly release it in a strong puff and the sail will spill the wind and the boat rights herself BEFORE going over. I also have found that turning slightly into the wind in small puffs will allow the boat to stay upright easier. If it is windy, sail with just the main (lift CB slightly to balance rig better) and you should find it more comfortable. I added a tiller extension to both of my boats and this allows sitting out on the sidedeck while sailing, it is amazing how much difference that makes in keeping a Centerboard boat upright!

My DS II has the same rudder as your Javelin (assuming yours is original?) and it does tend to kick-up slightly as I sail. I haven't found a solution yet, but am thinking about drilling a hole through the rudder near the forward, lower edge of the upper section, and inserting a thin wooden dowel that would hold hte rudder blade down but easily break if I sailed into shallow water and the rudder hit bottom (sort of a shear-pin design). Mine only kicks up a few degrees by itself, but enough to affect the feel of the steering.