Taking waves in a Mariner 19

[Freeblowing]

I just bought an Oday Mariner 19 about three weeks ago and last Sunday, I put in at the Frog Mortar Creek area of the Middle River. There was a lot of motor boat traffic that day, and not being familiar with the area where the river enters the Chesapeake Bay, I found myself having to motor through some rough water.

I'm concerned about motoring (and sailing) in big waves. The boat gets tossed around like a cork! The rigging takes a beating and I'm not sure if the centerboard is loose or not. If I keep using the boat in that kind of rough water, with the board down, I see damage to the center board well occurring.

I have a couple of questions: 1) If I kept the centerboat up while motoring through the waves, could this boat capsize? 2) Is there a way to tighten the centerboard so it doesn't move back and forth so much?

I'm VERY happy with this Mariner; just wondering what to do when those big waves start coming at me!

 

[Sunbird22358]

You definitely want the CB down about 1/3 to 1/2 when powering otherwise your boat will steer like a saucer on ice! The boat shouldn't capsize with the CB all the way up....the 200# of lead in the bilge along with the 165# iron CB will still keep her reasonably stable.

If the Cb seems loose it may be that the pivot hole has become worn and the CB is not as restrained from wobbling as originally. I'm not yet totally familiar with the Mariner CB, {I have a DSII (fiberglass CB)} but you might want to check out the Mariner Class Association web site, I think there is a Q&A page there www.usmariner.org
I know that my DS II CB actually pivots on a plastic bearing, not the bolt, if the Mariner is similar then it might be possible to replace that bearing to reduce the looseness? Also, try tightening the pivot bolt.... but maybe check the Mariner Class web first?

 

[Freeblowing]

I was out in the waves again last Sunday. The centerboard board doesn't bounce so much when there’s enough wind in the sails and pressure on it.

I also met a person knowledgeable of Oday Mariners that day, and he said the centerboard on the Mariner will normally wobble somewhat in the waves.

Thanks for the advise and website. I knew about the Mariner site, but thought I’d try to get free help here first.