Centerboard questions

[Unclemike]

How can you tell when the centerboard is all the way down (how much line does it take to lower it all the way)? I noticed a couple weeks ago that she wouldn't point or keep her course well in a strong wind and she was heeling pretty bad. We found the line that pulls up and lets the board down was binding on the jam cleat gizmo because the little wheel was rubbing against the block and the line gets thick when it gets wet. I'm hoping it will now go down all the way. Also, how in the heck to you replace the line?

[kahpho]

Don't know. I've just eyeballed the amount of line left and guessed. I have good intensions of marking the line at a point indicating the board is all the way down. I just keep forgetting.

[capt_nemo]

Unclemike,

Next time you launch your boat and it is sitting STILL in deep enough water, grab the centerboard pennant keeping tension on it and lift it high above the roller and jam cleat (vertical) and LET IT GO! The board should go all the way down with no sideways pressure on it usually present when underway. Mine actually makes an audible thump letting me know it is all the way down and hitting a stop. Then mark the line at the jam cleat for the "ALL THE WAY DOWN" position and mark it again at the jam cleat when raised for the "ALL THE WAY UP" position. Any other marks are up to you. You might try some spray lube on that roller in the jam cleat.

Trying to move the board when hard on the wind is quite difficult due to the great side pressures encountered. Luffing up into the wind might help sometimes. I generally sail my Sun Cat with the board ALL THE WAY DOWN, ALL THE TIME. If I'm going on a long broad reach or a run I'll raise it ALL THE WAY UP.

P.S. REMEMBER TO RELEASE THE PENNANT ONCE YOU RECOVER THE BOAT ON THE TRAILER and allow the trailer to bear the board weight. This prevents excessive wear of the pennant rubbing on the roller or elsewhere under tension of centerboard weight bouncing down the highway. REMEMBER TO RETENSION THE PENNANT AND LOCK IN JAM CLEAT BEFORE LAUNCH to avoid any unwanted surprises when launching your boat.

Hope this helps.

capt_nemo

[Unclemike]

Cpt Nemo,
Yes, very good information. I've tried to lower the board and listen for a "thump" but none was there-probably because of the resistance from the cleat. We'll try again once we get her back in the water-possibly over the 4th of July and will mark the line accordingly. The additional information is good too-about not keeping unnecessary tension on the line and securing before launching, etc. Information like that should have come in the "owner's manual", but for some reason it was void of any real information on the use or maintenance of the yacht.
Uncle Mikie

[capt_nemo]

Unclemike,

Just had another thought.

If your jam cleat with built-in roller is removable (like mine is by unscrewing it), do so, and then try dropping the board from the "ALL THE WAY UP" position. Also, with the cleat removed, check it for easy movement of the roller and lube the heck out of it. The roller-cleat combo may not be working properly or the line may be oversize, either factor causing too much friction and erratic board movement (control). While you are at it, look down into the pennant tube with a flashlight and see if there is anything else interfering with free travel of the line.

I'm quite curious as to what is causing the problem. Let us know how it works out.

Good luck.

capt_nemo

[Unclemike]

Looking down the tube with a flashlight, etc. Easier said the done.  I'll keep you posted if the last fix does not work. I'm still waiting for an answer from someone how to replace the rope/line-preferably with a stainless steel (coated) cable.
Uncle Mike

[capt_nemo]

Unclemike,

Here's how I checked mine, to replace if necessary, AFTER 3 YEARS of trailer sailing and reading about centerboard pennant problems on Forums.

Went to my nearby friendly boat trailer guy who had an outside small boat lift and negotiated a convenient time for him to lift my Sun Cat straight up just enough off its trailer while I inspected the board and pennant. I think he charged me $20 or $25 dollars for my 20 to 30 minutes use. Well worth the cost IMHO. Some Boat Dealers or small Marinas may have small boat lifts as well.

Since I religiously relieve tension on my board pennant by letting the board rest on the trailer until the next launch I was quite pleased to find little, if any, wear on the line where it enters the jam cleat. However, since I had it lowered I replaced the line anyway with the new length I brought along for that specific purpose.

I would not recommend using coated SS cable. It is hard on the hands (to handle) and difficult to secure.

capt_nemo

[Unclemike]

Capt Nemo,
Thanks again for the information. We thought of doing the same thing with a lift, but I thought the cable might work as that's what I had on previous boats that had a wench. How is the line secured to the centerboard?  Do you remember what diameter rope/line/pennant you used? I'm assuming they use the same size for their boats with a centerboard (?)
Uncle Mike

[Craig]

A wench to haul your centerboard?! Wow! Now that is luxury! I am jealous! Did she charge much? LOL

[Unclemike]

Oops...ha ha..
Actually I did see some "real" wenches at a Pirate Festival up at Cocoa Beach earlier today. Ah...the life of a pirate. For now, however, I'll have to settle for a glass of Captain Morgan and some apple juice. One of me favorite sailing/pirating drinks-a "Morgan's Organ"!
Cheers,
Uncle Mike

[capt_nemo]

Unclemike,

Replacement line size/type was ¼" braided Dacron, and it was secured to the board with a tight bowline knot. Any smaller diameter would be hard to handle.

capt_nemo

[Unclemike]

Capt Nemo,
Humm....I have some parachute cord that looks about the same diameter. I'll have to check. Since our craft "Sea Bisque" didn't get any "action" for the first few years (hull number indicates "07 and we're the 1st owners in '14), I guess it's good to go for awhile. Thanks again.
Uncle Mike