I recently purchased a P36-2 shoal draft which I will gradually refit, intended for extended Bahamas and Caribbean cruising. From my general reading it seems that many P36-2 owners seldom use their centerboard (CB). So I am considering the complete removal of the CB and filling the CB trunk with epoxy & lead shot. That would add about 500-600 lbs extra ballast, and provide some additional stability/stiffness. Would current owners advise against this? Under what conditions would leeward slippage become too much of a compromise?
Pearson 36-2 centerboard elimination
- Thread starter Wesch
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That gives me an idea for a modification similar to a Scheel Keel. Attach a convex aluminum plate along the base of the keel, the edge extending out a few inches and following the curvature of the keel. And then fill above the plate edge with epoxy to create a concave surface faired into the lead keel above the plate. That should reduce sideslip somewhat, in the absence of a centerboard. Any thoughts pro or con?
Before you remove or seal the CB trunk, you would be wise to consider the effect on the resale value of your boat.
Many of us (at least in my case) ignore lowering the board out of laziness. Performance is effected, but when day sailing, I don't care. The effect on performance is shown by the differant PHRF ratings for a P36-2 fin keel and a P36-2 CB. It is around 10 seconds per mile if I remember correctly.
I remember several articles or comments written by the late Bill Shaw on the proper position of the CB depending on the wind velocity and sailing angle. These may help you understand better the use of the CB and change your mind about doing away with the CB.
If you are set in doing away with the CB and don't mind spending some money, changeing to a wing keel will not change the resale value and should not effect the performance relative to the CB. (Both have the same PHRF rating in most fleets). My notes say that the foundry used by Pearson for these keels was Seaboard Foundry. They may still have the patterns for the wing keel. The bolt pattern for the CB keel and the wing keel were the same. During Katrina, Rita and Ike, several P36-2's were destroyed. You may be able to find a wing keel from one of these unless they have been melted down for the lead.
Dave
s/v ARIEL
Many of us (at least in my case) ignore lowering the board out of laziness. Performance is effected, but when day sailing, I don't care. The effect on performance is shown by the differant PHRF ratings for a P36-2 fin keel and a P36-2 CB. It is around 10 seconds per mile if I remember correctly.
I remember several articles or comments written by the late Bill Shaw on the proper position of the CB depending on the wind velocity and sailing angle. These may help you understand better the use of the CB and change your mind about doing away with the CB.
If you are set in doing away with the CB and don't mind spending some money, changeing to a wing keel will not change the resale value and should not effect the performance relative to the CB. (Both have the same PHRF rating in most fleets). My notes say that the foundry used by Pearson for these keels was Seaboard Foundry. They may still have the patterns for the wing keel. The bolt pattern for the CB keel and the wing keel were the same. During Katrina, Rita and Ike, several P36-2's were destroyed. You may be able to find a wing keel from one of these unless they have been melted down for the lead.
Dave
s/v ARIEL
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