I need a centerboard

[Wind Chime]

2 questions:

1. Can I check for wear or damage while the boat is on the trailer?
We never go into a sling or onto blocks, and I am not going under in 7* C water without my scuba gear and drysuit on.

2. Is knocking while at anchor a sign of wear or just the way it is?
This keeps me up at night and I have to raise the keel to get it to stop. Or last try was to; tie a line to the port staintion, run it into the water, completely around the boat outside of all the standing rigging, and then bring it tight and tie it off, so the keel is pulled hard to port.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

2. Is knocking while at anchor a sign of wear or just the way it is?[/b]
This keeps me up at night and I have to raise the keel to get it to stop. Or last try was to; tie a line to the port staintion, run it into the water, completely around the boat outside of all the standing rigging, and then bring it tight and tie it off, so the keel is pulled hard to port.

WindChime: My CB knocked and bumped at anchor also, & was somewhat hard to raise & lower. Im convinced it was a result from pivot hole wear -- which I solved using a piece of PVC pipe. The PVC pipe was "centered" and firmly fiberglassed into the "rounded out area" I've had no problem since, and the stainless steel pivot rod fits perfectly through the PVC pipe...and my CB works well now, no noise. It amazingly raises and lowers much easier also !

Ive mentioned this several times, hoping someone else would try it with the same success. It has worked very well on my Mac X. There is a pic of a "rounded out" CB hole posted by Marimaro (sp) within this thread. Mine wasnt that bad, but one can easily see how the CB wears out with a cavity within. Thus, plenty of noise while at anchor.

This repair is quite easy Personally, I think the PVC pipe firmly fiberglassed in is much stronger and durable than the original design of the MacX centerboard Pivot Area.

Hope you try this with as much success as Ive had...

[Wind Chime]

Thanks Louis,

The navigator is the one that does most of the line pulling for the centerboard while underway. She has been huffing and grunting a lot more than usual lately, I just assumed it was user error and she was just getting old and out of shape. Sounds like it may be easier (and cheaper) to try a retrofit for the keel pivot, before trying to replace the navigator

In order to drop the centerborad, I assume I will need to have it off the trailer and on stilts. Correct?

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Thanks Louis,

The navigator is the one that does most of the line pulling for the centerboard while underway.

In order to drop the centerborad, I assume I will need to have it off the trailer and on stilts. Correct?

I had my MacX hoisted off the trailer, on an "A" frame for a new bottom job. But, the CB can be removed while the boat is on the trailer -- back off the holding nut inside the cabin. Tap loose the "glued" stuff (and when replacing, I used standard Silicone as do most other Mac folks). The front of the CB will fall loose, and then can be slid out frontwards. There are "threads" in this forum for CB removals, which will help a great deal. GOOD LUCK.
The "retrofit" is quite easy -- you'll be amazed at the difference in raising the CB underway, and how quiet the boat becomes at anchor. Your "navigator" will be glad

[Wind Chime]

Thanks again Louis,

I found the tread http://www.geocities.com/mac.1948/cbxrepair.htm that walks me through it. Seems to be an easy job, if all goes well

We have a 7 day cruise coming up in mid July ... now does this job go on the "nice to have, or the need to have" list.

[opie]

I have noticed that the centerboard is not movable up or down when sailing off the wind. I supposed that the sidewards force was taken into consideration when Roger designed the way the CB (and DB?) work. The CB locks into place by sideways movement to the cavity walls and works as if "cemented" into place. I have to head into the wind or go downwind or heave-to to move the CB up or down. IMHO if you fixed the CB so that there was no sideways "play" possible then you may be defeating Roger's design, and I would think that there would be tremendous force applied to the pivot post if you tried to prevent it from swinging against the cavity. Really, anyone can fix a crashed Corvette fender to look good from 20 feet. Since the CB is not visable anyway, hack away, add glas mat and fabric if needed and have fun. If you don't want to have messy fun and your wallet is bulging, buy a new one.