Hi all,
I have been making friends with my new DSII but about two weeks ago, I too experienced the dreaded jammed uphaul centerboard cable problem. After getting towed back to the harbor, I had a friend pull the main halyard over and tip the boat over while in the water to about a 45 degree angle. I was able to see that the ferrule on the updhaul cable was jammed tight against the side of the board. The bungee that is supposed to keep it from jamming apparently didn't have enough stretch/strength to prevent it the jam. Unfortunately, I didn't have anything thin and substantial and long enough to push against the ferrule and unjam it. It was getting late and I needed to get the boat back on the trailer, but couldn't with the cb still down. Fortunately, I did have tools available to take the cb out... so I unbolted the cb and cut the cable and uphaul line and got the board free.
After researching the issue on the forum, I came across this thread and Kleanbore's question about using Amsteel in place of the uphaul cable. I looked into getting the replacement cable but was anxious about the problem recurring and checked with my local boat shop who thought the Amsteel/Dyneema line he had would do the trick in place of the cable. I picked up 2' of Amsteel, a thimble, and some hog rings (about $6 total) and attached it to the uphaul vang. I also got new line for the uphaul.
The first two pictures in the link below show the board right after I was able to remove it; and the last three the amsteel replacement.
http://picasaweb.google.com/dbk0630/77DS2CenterboardControlRepair?feat=directlink
By pulling the board out I was able to discover a hole in the lower center of the cb that allowed water to enter the hollow portion of the board... the boatshop owner told me he's repaired several daysailers because during the winter the water freezes and splits the board. So I drilled another hole lower down on the board and drained the water out. After making sure that it was dry, I sealed the holes and repaired some other dings and dents on the board. With help from some friends, I then dry launched the boat and replaced the board. I used a bowline knot to reattach the uphaul line to cb control line.
I've been out only once since then but, so far at least, I'm pleased with the repair.
Dave K.