I experienced a failure of the diamondboard centerboard at the pivot. While leaving the dock in a modest amount of wind, I immediately noticed the boat was not sailing correctly. At all. It turns out the centerboard was dangling below the boat from the pendant. I realized this when I picked up some speed and the board started clonking on the bottom of the hull.  I got back to the dock, and with the help of some good friends, we managed to retrieve it by splicing on a thin but strong extension on the pendant and then retrieving the pendant by swimming under the boat and grabbing the line. Then used the winch to haul it up to the side of the boat.

Photo of board attached. It is clear to me that this damage happened a while ago as I can tell where the freshly broken part is. I have never grounded or had any other unusual stress on the board, but it was likely existing when I bought the boat.

I've searched the archive and haven't found anything about this kind of failure. A couple of questions: I'm thinking of leaving the repair (re-installation of board) to the end of the season. I have sailed enough with the board up to know that works well enough. I'm wondering how much I'll miss that extra weight carried low in the boat. (I'm going to give it a try this afternoon).

Has anyone else experienced this failure? If so, do you have any thoughts or insights on the repair process, especially with removing and reinstalling the CB cap after the repair? I'll take it to a reputable local boat yard, but it is always good to arrive knowing what I expect needs to be done.

Thanks,
Dave
Blue Loon
Minneapolis, MN
1996/2003

[ Sent From rhodes22.net ]


IMG_0687.jpeg