Sailing Oday 25 without centerboard

[Mad Dog]

Hi all,

New Oday 25 sailor here. Like many others, I have a stuck centerboard. I had a relative with scuba gear free it the first time, and on the very next sail, like an idiot I got it stuck again. Lots of posts already on how to free a stuck centerboard, so my question is this. Can I sail her safely without the CB and just fix the problem in the fall when I haul out? Someone who supposedly knows Oday 25's told me not to fly the jib without the CB down because of the risk of capsizing.

Any truth to this? I mean, she's got 1800 lbs of lead in the keel. Other than not pointing well and drifting a bit, is there really a safety issue? All my sailing is in Point Judith Harbor - at some point I'll get brave enough to venture into BI Sound.

Matt

 

[RECESS]

It will not capsize. You will have pointing and maybe a little more heeling than others, but you can always spill the wind if you want. I would still fly the Jib, I may be more cautious with a genoa. If you have experience sailing you will be fine until fall, ie you know how to spill some wind when you need to control heeling.

 

[RichBone]

The centerboard only weighs about 50#. I don't see how it would make much difference in the stability or safety of the boat whether it was up or down. Having it down might slow the roll in a beam sea though.

Rich

 

[RECESS]

I agree it will not make much of a safety issue on our boat design. It is not the weight of the center board, it is the counterforce it extends out for stability. It is like the opposite wing to the mainsail. Besides pointing it also stabilizes the boat during heeling. With the board extended and the boat heeling, the pressure put on the board adds pressure to the leeward side of the boat, helping counteract the heel, more importantly the same pressure keeps the boat tracking instead of being pushed to the side.

There is enough keel without the centerboard on an O'Day 25 to keep it from going over (capsizing) and even if you pushed it too far in strong winds and knocked it down, it is self righting. My wife will let me know when the rail is getting near the water. The boat loses speed when you go past 26 to 30 degrees anyway, so there is nothing gained by heeling it that far over, except pissing off the wife.

 

[Mad Dog]

Thanks for the comments. I know the CB doesn't provide any ballast, but the additional righting moment is what concerned me. I sail with the wife and two little kids, so we typically sail in light to moderate winds anyway. Looks like we'll be okay until fall.

Matt

 

[r.w.landau]

I wouldn't worry about it. I sail with a full genny and a boom tent with the board up in 10 to 15 knot winds. She will slide and actually stay flatter because there is less resistance from the centerboard. You will not track as well board up. Too much wind will round her up so keep the windward clear of boats sailing close on your beam.
r.w.landau