The Gael (26X) has been moored on Loch Creran since April and survived the storms in May (I thought) until I noticed that the centre board cable had broke. Thought no more about it and bought 8mm line to replace wire and rope combo. Went over the side in my shortie yesterday to thread rope through centre board and found no centre board!
Does any one have any information on if it is possible to get a replacement, or maybe the dimension I would need to get one made?
HELP!!!!!
Doug :shock:
Tue, 26/07/2011 - 10:31pm
#1
My Centerboard has gone!
Not sure about the dimensions, out Mac is in Wells Next The Sea at the moment, I have what looks like a sharks bite out of the back of mine.
Here is a pic of what it looks like from the manual, if you measure the housing you may be able to work out what size to make it.
Good Luck
centreboard
I guess I'd try the UK dealer for a replacement but not sure how active they are as far as parts are concerned. I just tried a quick seach on the US website but nothing jumped out at me. However, that may need more patience or try posting a query on that website or maybe try contacting Blue Water Yachts or some of the other US dealers. Sounds like an insurance claim though :(
Mike
ps Do you think it was there when you moored up? If the water is fairly shallow maybe you can spend a morning walking round the place in your wellies! (sorry if you have already done this!!)
I would also check the state of the hanger bracket and pivot pin, and the centreboard trunk around the pivot pin. It would have taken a lot of force to break the board around the pivot hole to the point where it fell off, which would make me suspicious of collateral damage.
Sorry to sound pessimistic!
Also, if you're thinking of getting one moulded, the standard one has a lump or two of metal (such as 8mm bolts) embedded in the moulding to form the "pimple" of the stop-notch. Otherwise, if that pimple is just GRP it will get smashed off by a few heavy board lowerings. The standard one is hollow in fact, made of two half-mouldings bonded together.
Getting a proper spare is your best bet, and I agree with Mike that the USA is likely to be more productive.
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Thank's everyone for your comments. I've tracked a new board at £380 and will be taking her out of the water on Monday to see if there is any other damage. Wellies not much good as the mooring has a minimum depth of 6 metres. An insurance claim, it will have to be. I'll keep you posted.
Thank's again
:( Doug
Hi There
An update. The hanger bolt had sheered therefore I need to get a centre board, the hanger bracket and the pivot pin.
Doug
Guess what! I got delivery today of a new centre board with the dimension and instructions for me to drill the pivot hole and the lifting hole. It also tells me to fill the other existing holes with resin? Does anyone have their centre board solid? :(
I have my centre board out at the moment, I broke the bottom 18 inches off, was lucky as we dried out and I found it close by, managed to fiberglass it back together but notice the centre board is mostley hollow, so as you have a hole for the centre pin and the lifting line water will enter the hollow section of the board, without a drain hole if you will retain the water ,harder to lift up and frost could be a problem this time of year.
Si
IIRC from when I last had my CB out, the sections where the pivot and lifting holes go is solid. It's particularly important for the pivot hole, because if it pivoted on just two edges of GRP it would wear very fast. Hence these holes won't provide any venting to allow the board to fill with water. As Simon said, there should be a hole in the bottom and also near the top, but where the board is still hollow. I think they only need be about 1/4".
I'm amazed they ship the board undrilled in the first place!
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
I will take a pic and post it so you can put the drain holes in as soon as I can.
Si