Centerboard

[Melbourne55]

Just bought an 85 Spindrift. I new I was going to have to ask a question about the centerboard. It has the dreaded sag. Has anyone tried to repair the square hole with epoxy with good results?

I'm sure I will have more questions once I get it in the water but I have been looking her over and everything looks OK so far.

I noticed DR marine has parts for the centerboard mechanism and assume they fit. The owner used a plumbing washer to seal it and it is pretty tight.

Should I loosen it some until it leaks and then apply pressure?

How hard is it to remove and replace the board? It looks straightfowrard but I have been there before.

[Jett]

Rick, I will offer an opinion on the centerboard sag issue. I have a '83 Spindrift and the centerboard sags some. I've sailed my boat for the last year with no issues when on the water. As long as the centerboard lever properly raises and lowers the centerboard, then performance shouldn't be an issue. The real issue, assuming the board functions while on the water, is when traveling with it on a trailer. Mine has a roller directly under the centerboard which keeps it from sagging (or more important, bouncing).

I did take my board out to inspect, while it was on the trailer. Just make sure and provide some support under the board before removing screws, gaskets, the handle, etc. The board will freely drop right out from under the boat otherwise. Helps to have 2 people put it back in after inspecting, one under the boat to help guide the centerboard pin back into the CB hole. We shoved the board back in the "up" position before trying to align the pin (handle in a vertical position). Worked.

My pin was rounded on corners slightly, but not so much that I thought it necessary to do anything about it, so I reassembled and have been happily sailing ever since.

[Melbourne55]

Does anyone have any experience with the crank lever for the board. The previous owner sealed with a really thick washer so it is HARD to move. I was going to order a seal from D&R. Does that usually do it?

[Jett]

I replaced the gasket(s) when I removed the centerboard for inspection. The boat had two gaskets, which were too thick I thought. I bought a 3" rubber gasket at the local hardware store and used just one for the replacement. The previous ones dripped some; so does the new one when the lever is being pushed down or pulled up. The drip is so small I have not worried about it. However, someone in one of the threads on this site suggested using white grease when replacing a gasket to improve the seal. I didn't do that, but will next time. Good idea.

Keep in mind that lever tension is also adjusted with the bolts and nuts holding the triangular plate in place. Adjusting those bolts after replacing a gasket may take trial and error to keep it from being too tight/loose. Again, look through the forum discussions and you'll see plenty of examples, including some with detailed pictures, on removing and replacing the centerboard lever.

[Melbourne55]

Thank You