Bent Board Handle

[Triche]

I just bought hull number 9232, I think. 1964? Anyway the board handle is very much bent. I think is it bent to the extent that the board won't go down all the way..... So I was wondering, it is bronze I believe, can it be heated with a torch and straightened out, or what should I do?

Thanks in advance. [/quote]

[Peter McMinn]

I have the same issue, and in a month or so, I'll be taking it on as I also fair the board (reason for the bent handle). I had the same thing in mind, but would be interested in whether heating the metal would weaken it.

Expert opinon needed.

[swiftsail]

Personally I had a new one built out of Stainless and as a secondary purpose I use it to keep my crew in line. (It's a bit beefier than the original)

[Triche]

Swifty,

Did you do it yourself and how much did it cost. I guess I could cut it off and attach a pipe. That would look very Rube Goldberg, but seriously, can they be straightened with heat. I am not the familiar with the propertied of bronze other than it is soft. Actually, I don't need the handle to keep order, at least I don't think. Although, self flagellation might make me sail better, but since I don't have a crew that doesn't seem necessary.

David Triche

[Peter McMinn]

I have seen stainless pipe fitted over the stub of a broken handle. With some bicycle handle grip on the end, this seems to serve the owner well.

I'll probably resort to this if the handle breaks as I heat/bend it back to shape.

[swiftsail]

I had it built about 10 years ago buy a local machine shop for about $100.
I also have seen various pieces of pipe used to correct this flaw in the Day Sailer design but I wanted a solution that I was never going to have to worry about again. Specially at that last minute "Oh S@#$, put the board down" as you are about to round the leeward mark.

[Wyatt]

You may want to try a blacksmith or metalworking shop. The strength properties of metals are affected by heating and cooling. I don't know what the effect on bronze is, but if you were to heat up steel in order to bend it, and didn't retemper it, you would lose strength.

I have the same problem with my handle, which is actually slightly twisted where it goes through the centerboard. I'm going to try and locate a blacksmith and have him re-square the dowel and make a matching insert to mount on the new foil.

Regards,

Wyatt