Centerboard will not go all the way up / retract into the hull - 26s

[JamesToBoot]

I didn't see this possibility mentioned: On most 26S, the centerboard lift line comes up through a tube, around a block and through a metal stop before it proceeds forward, around another block, then aft to the hole out into the cabin. (Yeesh.) In the water, the centerboard can actually swing forward beyond perpendicular, and this stop was added to prevent that. From your description I deduce your line has been replaced before. If it wasn't done properly, you might have a knot or connection hitting the stop on the back side, preventing the line from passing even though the centerboard is free to continue. Pull the raising line until it stops, then stick your head under the sink and look up. If that's the problem, you'll see it.

Thanks Moon,

I did not have a knot it the rigging I replaced, nor did I add one when replacing the line either time. No worries there.

The setup I found on this new-to-me 26S was much simpler. It comes up thru the tube in the floor over one pulley to the exit hole.

[JamesToBoot]

Regarding the trailer's crossbar under the centerboard, it's a boat-saver. I read recently that many sailors release the raised centerboard so it can rest on the crossbeam once the boat is on the trailer. When you think of the leverage the heavy centerboard has on that lift line as it bounces down the road, that strategy makes sense to me, so I'll try it this season. I wrapped a thick pad of carpet around the bar to cushion the centerboard. Just gotta remember to raise the centerboard all the way up before launching...

I had a similar though... In case the line breaks, you don't destroy the cb dragging it down the road. I haven't yet figured out how I am going to attach something softer for the cb to rest on, but its on my list.

[JamesToBoot]

I also have a 26C and I also have this problem. Mine has access to the centerboard pin from the bottom of the boat though. I have also added a thicc layer of rubber matting to the upgraded centerboard catch bar on the trailer. The CB now rests permanently on this rubber mat, hitting every damn bounce in the road. My CB seems to be a bit hollowed out (next years project IF i dont sell the rig next spring). I also replaced the stock metal wire/rope combo by drilling out (from underwater...LONG story) the epoxied combo out of the CB and attaching a simple rope and bowline knot. I also replaced the pulleys under the galley basin which helped.

All in all, Im 90% sure my problem is a combo of the thick rope knot hitting the CB trunk (mine narrows mercilessly near the top of the trunk), the pivot hole providing some jambing/misalignment, and something fouling the CB trunk like barnacles or other flaura.

I have NOT had the boat up on bunks like you have done because i didnt want to die by my cursed boat crushing me. It looks like you did yours safely and smartly in a good location. I dont have those tools/options so I kinda gave up.

TL:DR, check for fouling and make sure your rope and knot are thin enough as to not hit the trunk, esp when swollen with hydro. If you figure it out, tell me first. It may be the reason I ended selling mine.

Congrats on the newborn! My young son generally likes the boat and we have had some fun times on the water.

Hey LakeMac,

I have read quite a few of your postings in my search of information on this issue and several others. You are very effective at getting information thru. I especially enjoyed that underwater drill you made!!!

My cb is also hollow. It appears to to have holes in it for filling w water and for draining. From my readings here, that seems to be by design.

As my knot securing the cb is inside the hollow cavity of the cb (see previous picture I posted of this), I am sure that is not the case for me. I could raise and lower the cb from underneath without any issues or bindings, confirming for me that there is not an obstruction, also confirmed by taking the whole thing out of the boat a billion times.

The fiberglass tube thru the bottom of my boat is probably 2 inches. My line is 1/4th. There is plenty of room. As the cb does have play in it and the line may ride against the tube depending on how the boat lies. This appears to have zero impact. Even if there were a knot or two in my 1/4 inch rope, or a connection point like the original metal wire to sta set doublebraide rope, it would have little impact due to the size difference in the pipe and line.

Conclusion: all work and research on this has lead me to believe this; there is a flaw in the assumption made that most people would have the ability to raise the cb by hand with a 1/4 inch line, a 1:1 ratio, resulting in 83lbs of force needed, in the space and the angles provided. This is not the case for me; it is certainly not the case for my wife or kids.

Fix: A modification of some is needed. Some people run it thru the deck to a 2:1 purchase then to the jib sheet winch. The thought of putting a hole thru the deck and routing a line thru blocks and pulleys to the jib sheet winch sounds like a nightmare, so I just added a winch in place of the existing cb line cleat. Cheaper, more simple, quicker, no holes in my deck.

[JamesToBoot]

Just looked at this again while re-reading thru the thread... I have a question:

Where is that line headed after it goes thru the pulley we see here... It appears that it is headed away from you towards the front of the boat? Can you take a picture or two of the routing?

[LakeMac26C]

Ill have to try to get under the boat again and push the CB up by hand to see if it moves freely. When i replaced the CB line and pulleys, I also removed the metal stop bracket as there was no longer a metal wire grommet to use. This made the rope run a lot more freely.

The picture from the previous post is looking up from under the basin cabinet. That black tube is the CB line guide and the metal bracket is the stopper i mentioned i removed. After that, the CB line travels to starboard to the other pulley/fairlead and out into the cabin.

If all my hardware is in good shape, i might buy a 2:1 of some kind to assist with the CB uphaul. Maybe thats all I need afterall.

[LakeMac26C]

I dont have access to the boat off the trailer, but this is my CB resting on the trailer axle which I covered with rubber. I pull as hard as I can on the CB rope in the cabin, but i cant get it any higher than this. When I raise the CB from below, it goes up with ease almost all the way until the last inch or so. Thats when I hear a little squeak and feel the knot in the rope hitting the CB trunk. Still, I cannot get the CB even up to that height by simply pulling on the CB line in the cabin. Strange.