sticking center board

[gene pait]

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 23' O'DAY POP TOP SAILBOAT AND CANNOT GET THE CENTER BOARD TO GO DOWN. I HAVE TRIED PUSHING ON IT WITH A STEEL ROD THROUGH THE TUBE THE WINCH CABLE RUNS DOWN BUT WITH NO SUCCESS. NOT KNOWING THE EXACT CONFIGURATION OF THINGS DOWN THERE, I AM RELUCTANT TO DO ANY POUNDING ON THE ROD. WILL DIVING DOWN AND LOWERING IT BY HAND WORK? ANY SUGGESTIONS?

 

[Arnie Hoffman]

Sticky centerboard

Don't know if its completely relevant, but I have a ODay 30 CB. Had a similar problem. Found years of mussel growth and weeds in the trunk. Also, the CB trunk had never been bottompainted. I doubt whether you can manually drop it down by diving. The board may have swelled up (they have a reputation to take on water). Best solution is to get the boat out of the water with CB slot exposed. There are two metal plates on the bottom of the keel that holds up wedges that in turn support the pivot bar for the CB. I just had mine out, that's how I know. By dropping the board, you may find it has swelled and needs to have some glass work done on it. Good luck!

 

[Eric]

Don't use metal rod!

On my 1980 O23, the line from the cockpit down to the centerboard is NOT a straight one- there is an "S" turn that is done with a hose (below the cabin steps). I inadvertantly poked through this, and took on water. My recommendation is to take the boat out of the water, pry the CB down, clean out barnacles, etc. I also used a hack saw to trim the bolt which connects the metal pendant to the CB, which has helped. Good luck.

 

[Bob Vannier]

Sticking CB

Best to put the boat on a hoist and take the board out. It's not a bad job if you get the boat high enough. You may need a friend to help. It's fairly heavy. I just finished repairing mine last week. The board was jammed with zebra mussles but also had started to delaminate and had a damaged leading edge. Took me about four days to do the fiberglassing and painting. While it was out I painted the inside of the CB trunk. The "23" is back in the water and ready to sail. Good luck on yours.

 

[Keith]

The year matters

You didn't mention the year of your 23; it matters. The early 70's have a cast iron keel with the centerboard installed with a 1" stainless pin right through the keel. The later 70's and early 80's have the bolts/wedges mentioned earlier in another reply.I agree the boat must be raised and the centerboard pried down. Mine is a '73, and I am replacing the centerboard due to damage. If you have the early model, your board could be jammed for a number of reasons: heavily rusted keel slot, marine growth, or jammed pendant hardware. Hoisting it up and prying it down will give you the chance to check your board, pendant, and keel slot condition and make appropriate repairs. You might consider replacing your pendant while you have it accessible. Rudy at D&R offers aa soft braided SS wire with a narrow shackle as a durable good-fitting replacement.Good luck.