Lead-filled centerboard

[Bill Smith]

I once found a website that described a lead-filled 26x centerboard. The owner had taken the regular centerboard, filled it (slowly and painfully) with liquified lead, reinforced the pin and pin mounting, changed the location of the raising line and reinstalled. I had a couple of e-mail conversations with him about this and he was very happy with the modification . . . saying it added about 150 pounds and stablized the boat in rough seas. However, I have somehow, in changing computers, lost contact. Does anyone know where or how I might find this guy?

[udannlin]

You can find him right here

Or here

[Bill Smith]

Thanks.

I will contact Erik to see if he still thinks it was a good idea.

Bill Smith

[Sloop John B]

I went over Erik's centerboard mod and believe he is the last of the uncaged mad scientists.

Really though, its apparent a good engineering/physics background is required to get into this kind of project. Also, a good familiarity of the hardware needed.

Without any measurable change, I think this is a tarbaby to stay clear of.

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

i agree w/ Sloop...

why waste your time & energy on a mod that doesn't add value?

my suggestion, drill out the centerboard fill holes (with a dremel) a bit more than stock, add some resin in the end (or a small amount of lead if you insist), and don't mess with the current configuration to raise and lower.

[Erik Hardtle]

I am Mad...
I have no background whatsoever in engineering/physics... although I'm pretty sure I have a screw loose... (wife confirmed)

I would agree that unless you like to do major modifications I would probably not do this one. The benefits may not outweigh the work involved.

It does cut way back on the sudden heeling. The centerboard doesn't bang around while anchored. And it makes a great boat brake on sandbars.

Was it a good idea? I was good for me. 'nuf said.

[Bill Smith]

Thanks Erik. So have you found that it makes the boat feel more like a keelboat when under sail.

Bill S.

[John McDonough]

Erick
I have a 2000X and my C-board rope needs replaced now. While I got the C-board loose maybe I should consider adding the bearings to elimate the play in the axle. Do you know where I can get waterproof bearings?? Thanks for any info?

[ALX357]

find the thread on this site describing the insertion of a metal bushing into the fibergalss CB, after boring out the hole sufficiently to accept it, and embedding it in resin, to fix the slop and looseness from wear.

[Sloop John B]

Erik, you're one of those kids that removed all the door knobs in the house before you were out of diapers and began dismantling appliances just after getting your first set of teeth. You drove your parents up a wall.

I thought about your CB mod but I know ahead of time it is too hard and that I would irreversibly screw it up.

I studied with interest your aft genoa sheet winches. This, with a little luck, I might be able to pull off. The cover plates look big. Did you need that much room? It looks like theyre near each end of the helm seat.

I assume you use the original cars with these, or do you sometimes skip them?

[Erik Hardtle]

The Aft Winches... yea I really needed that much room to add the block underneith the winch and bolt it on. I was hoping to avoid it... but it really needs to be done. Getting the foam floatation out and then back in was the really fun part. I do use the cars with them.