Morning all,
Hope all is well in Plymouth, weather seems pretty good hear-abouts!
Just doing a few jobs on the mooring (eg fitting new dual battery solar controller & tender motor bracket) prior to first motor off the mooring with Mrs F later in the week.
Having done all I came for my thoughts wandered to my first sail - something I hope to do in the next week or so.
For the first time (there has been so much to do and think about) I wondered about my daggerboard.
The tide seemed high enough so I thought "why not try lowering it?"
So I went to find it and was a little surprised to find NO tension on either of the raising ropes.
I then tried pushing it down with my fingers, but still no joy - hmm!
I then tried raising it the remaining inch that was available. It did come up a little but only fell back down as far as before.
I guess I may have missed something so I wondered if anyone could point me in the right direction.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Hi Mike, is yours a swing keel? Mine gets stuck up with mud from being on the drying mooring. If the rest of the hive mind think that's it then I can waffle on at length about how I sorted it out on my 26c. I think though, because it's moving a bit there's probably a more mechanical explanation so I'll back off and let the experts step forward!
The dagger board on a 26M can be a tight fit. I managed to clean mine up by removing it through the top space when the mast was not fitted. I suspect your has been jammed by mud or grit. A jet from a hose or a bucket or two of water poured down the dagger board sheath, while agitating the board, might be enough to release it.
When afloat the dagger board will sink if released from the fixed rope on it. If it is on a mac trailer there is a transverse fixing to retain it and stop it from rubbing away on the road surface.
P@ S. GladNick 26M
Thanks Harry, mine's a 26m so I have a daggerboard - although I've been blissfully unaware of it until now:). Good point about the mud, I am on a drying mooring.
Thanks for the cleaning tips Patrick, I should have thought of this before I put the mast up.
By the way, you mentioned a transverse fixing to prevent it slipping out whilst trailering. Is this part of the boat OR the trailer? Just wondering if it's still in place now I'm on the water.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
When I was desperately looking for answers to resolve my stuck swing keel several forums suggested slacking off the raising ropes a little so the board could drop a couple of inches once free and going for a blast under power, particularly over some choppy waves to swoosh the mud out and shake it all loose... perhaps save that for after Mrs F's first outing!
PS, if it is mud (I hope it's not and I don't think it is) we now lash a small tarp under the hull when she's on the mooring which prevents the mud getting into the casing. This is on the whole very boring and a bit muddy but does work. I really doubt a dagger board would suffer the same problems though.
you can't get the dagger/centre board out with the mast up so checking it is one of those things to do at the end/beginning of the season.
As is, It is an absolute swine to haul up when crabbing across a fierce tide and needs the strength of an Olympic weight lifter.
I am not sure about that transverse thingy on the trailer. I must have a look at mine on Thursday.
Mike, I am sure you know this but there are 2 ropes attached to your dagger/centre board. One is the control rope for hauling it up and letting it down. The other is the safety rope to stop it dropping out of the bottom of the boat. Another thing to check at the beginning/end of the season. The technology seems to be in a 'granny' knot.
As previous experts have said, mud and grit can easily get into the centre/dagger board casing when lying on mud. I once read of a whole boat stuck to the mud and not easily floating off on a rising tide. Frightening and worrying but it did free itself in the end, even if the skipper was jumping up and down frantically.
You could also prod it with the handle of your mop or boat hook! I used to find the mop very useful when going through a lock on the Thames. The crew could swab the decks as well as fending off.
Good Luck.
PS i think it is the alternator not the battery on Sowenna so shall investigate on Thursday. I was saved by using my battery booster to start the motor.
Thanks Guys, I'll be interested to hear about the Transverse Dagger Board Falling Preventer and whether or not it's an integral part of the boat - my feeling is not as I'm sure the manual would have mentioned it.
I'll give a broom handle a try next time I visit. Failing that I guess it's mast-lowering-on-the-mooring time.
Many thanks!
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
Re. the transverse preventer - it's part of the trailer and is there to stop the board falling out on the road should the raising line fail while the boat's being towed. Not something you want to happen!
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Many thanks Rick, hopefully I can persuade it to move without having to take the mast down.
I just had a chat with the previous owner and he also suggested the broom handle approach.
But also he mentioned a gel-coat repair to the top of the trunk and that possibly some resin had attached itself to the db.
Anyway will report back in due time.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
By the way Liz, I came across this - http://www.sailingtipsea.com/2015/06/i-bring-my-wife-what-could-go-wrong... - whilst researching Daggerboard issues.
He says he's happy for his blogs to be reproduced (with credit) and thought this would make good magazine content as its all relevant, especially to newcomers, and he has great style and humour - you can always edit the occasional s**t.
MacGregor 26M 2009 - Sky's the Limit - Suzuki DF50
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