Center Board Stuck up

[alsantini]

Hello all.  Guess I am looking for suggestions, knowing that I will probably need to have the boat lifted from the water.  But, two days ago on a beautiful sail with the Admiral, I had the board about 25% down motoring through the intercoastal on the way to the Gulf.  Apparently, I hit something and heard the board pop up.  From that point on I could not move the board up or down.  I believe based on the amount of line, that it is all the way up and stuck.  Maybe the line got caught?  When similar issues on my Eclipse, I was able to put a rod down the hole and pop it down BUT the line guide on a Horizon with a diesel, curves around the output shaft so there will be no pushing with a rod.  I jumped up and down, tried pulling it up and sailed all day with the line loose, and fingers crossed.  No luck.  I now have the line cleated off but loose with the hope that gravity will be my friend over time.  I will not dive on the centerboard, for reasons I will not go into here.
There is a Marine Max with a travel lift down the intercoastal that I will contact tomorrow.  Any ideas sailors?   Sail On Al

[bruce]

Hey Al, I've had our CB pendant jam, and was able to free it from above as you describe.

I don't know how big a jog the pendant tube makes to clear the output shaft, too much would produce significant friction which wouldn't be good, but if it isn't much you might be able to come in from the top with an old screen door spring that could make a gentle bend and still be able to bear on the top of the CB. I see diameters down to 1/4", and lengths to 18" or so. Longshot, but it might work.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Prime-Line-Wood-Screen-Door-Ext-Spring-Steel-Const-Nickel-Plated-050-GA-x-5-16-in-x-16-3-8-in-Closed-Double-Loop-1-Pack-SP-9640/202999900?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&fp=ggl

[Vectordirector]

Hey Al,
I feel the same about not diving but maybe you can hire a diver to look at it.  Your local West Marine may have a few business cards on the bulletin board for divers.

I slowly hit a sand bar one time on my eclipse, floating in calm winds on the Peace River and my board got stuck all the way down. Luckily it was high tide later after sailing so I motored in to my dock and had my diver came over the next day and he shook it loose and pushed it up in about 5 seconds, he said there was no damage, just a bit of sand up in the case. It worked fine for the next 3 years until I sold the boat. 

Might be less $$$ than the travel lift.

Good Luck,

Bryan

   

[alsantini]

I took your advice and have a diver coming Monday.  I have to move the boat to the Crow's Nest Marina which is about 1 mile away so no big deal.  Not enough water under the keel for the diver to work.  Hoping for success.  Sail On  AL