Hole in centerboard & centerboard trunk

[wrmann]

My DS I has a 3/8" hole in the centerboard and a matching 3/8" hole in the centerboard trunk. Do you stick a small rod through these holes to keep the centerboard up trailring the boat? I think the holes align but I'm not sure. The boat is flipped over and the centerboard is removed while I am repairing and fairing the bottom.

[michaelyogi]

My DS1 has holes in the ctrbd and trunk as well. I also have a pin (read bolt) in it when the boat is on the trailer. Doesn't seem to leak or affect the boat in any other way...

[michaelyogi]

Ok, I would like to revisit this particular thread...
The other day while taking the boat out of the water ,my friend says,(while looking under the boat) " What's the hole in your centerboard? Hey it's draining water too!! Wow, that's lot's of water! "
Seems I have two holes in my centerboard. Anyone want to take a shot at this one??

[Bob Hunkins]

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by a hole in the centerboard and centerboard trunk. Do you mean the square handle socket located about 6" from the top of the board and about 6" from the leading edge?
If so, that should be square not round, on a DS I; otherwise your centerboard won't work correctly. If someone replaced the handle with a pin, then you probably need to make some repairs. The hole in the centerboard trunk allows the brass lever to control the board to fit into the board. A rubber gasket fits in between the lever and the centerboard trunk keeping leaks out. I found it helps to put some sort of lubricant on the gasket to extend its lifetime.

As for a hole in the centerboard draining water, that's probably not a good thing. I've seen an old O'Day board that has a couple of small (1/8") holes that, and I can't imagine why. This board I'm acquainted with sounds like a maraca when I'd shake it - lots of particles clacking around inside; It’s definitely not a good thing. I'm not sure if this is something O'Day did originally or not as a sort of water ballast, but it makes little sense to me. It seems enough water would stay inside the board for long periods of time and eventually delaminate the fiberglass, hence the pieces clattering around inside.

If that’s the case, I’d try to dry the board out as best I could, let it sit in a dry, hot environment for a few weeks or even months, and then do some sort of filling to keep the water out. You might want to weigh the board at that point to make sure it’s not over the weight limit.

[wrmann]

The hole that I'm referring to is not the square hole used in conjunction with the handle to raise and lower the board. This hole is located about two feet back near the trailing edge of the board. It is about 3/8" in diameter and round. There is a similar hole in the centerboard trunk. From the best I can tell, you can pin the centerboard in the up position by inserting a bolt or rod through the centerboard trunk and through the centerboard. I guess you can use this at a mooring to take pressure off the centerboard lift handle.

[Bob Hunkins]

I think that is non standard; someone must have added it after they bought the boat. I've never seen a hole drilled in the cb trunk for that purpose. Seems like a lot of water would come into the cockpit.

[wrmann]

The hole is very high in the trunk, between the jam cleats for the jib and the main. I don't think any water will get into the boat.

[deadreckoning]

Judging from what I've seen of DaySailers on their trailers and read on this site, the CBs are downwardly mobile. That is to say that most of them seem to hang down a bit when in their "fully" raised position. Probably, a previous owner wanted to prevent the board from lowering at inopportune times, i.e., on a run or on the road, or perhaps both. I would agree that a pin was used.

A hole in the CB in the place described is highly suspect, though. I would think it difficult to properly seal the inside of the hole; therefore encouraging rot, if not severly compromising strength.

Do what Bob suggests. Dry out the board thoroughly and dig/pull out all the loose material. Then, use the apt. fillers, starting with very wet resin for a good seal.

Don't forget to have fun.

[michaelyogi]

I'm the one with two hoes in the centerboard. I have a 5/16" hole in the aft lower edge of the centerboard which lines up with a hole in the centerboard trunk. The hole in the trunk is at the top aft end of the trunk. A pin is placed into these holes when the boat is on the trailer and the board is held in the up position. No water leakage has been observed at these holes.
I also have another hole, located about centermass of the centerboard itself. This is the hole which lets water into the interior of the board. Sounds like it's not a good thing... Another project for the future.

[Roger]

The leading edge of my cb had developed a crack in it over the years, and this summer, I noted that the cb had acquired some water in it. At haul out in the fall, I removed the cb and took it home whereby I set it up to drain as best it could indoors and under a heatlamp. This got the water out. I then left it indoors to air dry for a few months over the fall and winter. I also peeled away the fg where water had delaminated it and repaired the patch with fg cloth (several layers) then completing the job with gelcoat. I'll put the cb back in, in the spring. I also took the opportunity to fix the numerous dings and scratches acquired over the years. I did the same once over with the rudder. It's not a difficult job to do, if you have some space to set up your cb.

[michaelyogi]

I definitely have a place to setup the centerboard. I just happen to have a 40x20x17 wood shop in Eastern Wa (read very dry climate). In fact it's so dry here that I can air dry wood to about 8% moisture content, outside!!
Depending of course on the present wx, spring melt out is a moist time of year, summer is dry even though warm air can hold more moisture than cold air, fall is very dry (normally) and winter can be very dry or very moist, but mostly dry.
Seems I've a lot more to do to this boat than I thought. I just got it out of my shop and finally got it on the water last week, so I think that I'll just sail it for a while...