DaySailer.org Forum

Hello Everyone!

Last season I finally reinstalled my Centerboard in my DSII. The problem is that the centerboard is very difficult to raise completely, especially for my wife. One of us gets under the boat (on land!) and pushes up the rest of the way while the other one pulls the cable the rest of the way.

Is there a way to make this task easier so the centerboard is easier to pull up? I have the standard pulley system as outlined by Roger. Where can I make an adjustment on this?

Otherwise, I'm about to find some sort of winch system to make this task easier. I hate the system...the only thing I don't like about the boat.

Also, thanks for the trailering tips...I'm taking my new trailer to get it adjusted tomorrow.

Dan Mejak
Columbus, OH

Dan,

When you go under, and push the cb up, how much of it is still hanging down, and as you push up, does it feel like it is binding? It is fairly normal for an inch or so, to still be showing, as the leverage is just not there to pull that last inch. The cb uphaul is fully stretched, and the blocks are up against the stops. If this is the case, shorten the anchor knot on the 2:1 line on the cuddy floor, so that the mechanism does not have to travel as far. I had to do this on mine due to line stretch.

Secondly, the person who is pulling on the line, ...does the line feel like it is binding on something?

The anatomy of the DS II cb is that a metal wire attached to a metal tang at the top aft corner of the cb (when deployed) goes forward over the top of the cb, through the holes in the fwd cb trunk, along the cuddy floor to a 2:1 block on a nylon line. If as you say, it is identical to what I have previously described, then the attachment point on the cb may be binding. Usually, this is because the steel cable is not riding along the top of the cb, but has either gouged into it or alongside it. If the cable is off to one side the person on the line will feel the grinding. If there is no grinding, and the person underneath does not feel any grinding either, then there is a groove worn into the top of the cb by the cable.

If on the other hand the person on the line does not feel the grinding, (steady resistance instead), but the person pushing up on the cb feels some grinding, then there may be something jammed up inside the cb trunk. This is usually mud, sand, or gravel, but could also be weeds or crud on the board itself.

The first situation requires the cb to be pulled out of the boat and the attachement point or top of the cb repaired.

The second situation requires the boat be careened and the cb trunk power washed with the cb deployed.

There is one other (too obvious) problem. The downhaul line is binding on a block, or cleat, or is too short. Check that first to make sure there is slack in the downhaul the whole time that you are trying to uphaul.

One other rare situation, usually after the installation of a NEW board, is that the pivot or head of the board is binding on the inside of the cb trunk. If you don't have a new board, this is not likely the problem, as boards tend to wear down over time, in this area.

If you will send me your e-mail to roger02@mts.net, I will send you a picture of the 2:1 block arrangement on the floor of the cuddy, and the knot that needs to be shortened. This is the easiest fix.

We took the boat('84 DS2) out Mondayand had a great time. However, as we approached the ramp, the centerboard scraped bottom. I thought that it was all the way up. We finally got it up and home. I researched the problem here, and I believe that the control lines are rigged backwards. I am not looking forward to careening it to fix the board. But while it's there, I might as well do some work on the trailer. I like Phil's setup. (I think it's phil's)

Let me (us) know how you make out taking the boat off the trailer. I plan to do some work on my trailer and would like to hear about your experience. Thanks.

Hey everyone!

I wanted to report that I got all my centerboard and trailer problems worked out. I have had no problems with either of the elements.

Thanks Again!

Dan

So what was the fix for the centerboard?