Centerboards

[JakeLevi]

I have been skipping over for sale boats that I see with CBs, mostly from a couple horror storys I heard some years back. Ones I skipped included a couple ketches that otherwise were 'right on'.

Now reading some of Leonards and others writings they circumnavigated in CBs, or coastal cruised for years in one,

so, good thing or no. If good how do you avoid problems with them ?

The idea of being able to go from a 4' draft to a 7' one is certainly appealing.

[gunkholemarine]

You are right about the convenience of variable draft. You are also right to consider your options. If you consider the purpose of a keel, it is righting moment, and directional tracking. The best variable draft design was only recently introduced by Seaward about 6-7 years ago. It is a electrically retractable fin keel with a bulb ballast. The range of draft is 18" to 78", and all of the ballast is in the bulb. Please visit my web page for more details, www.gunkholemarine.com and let me know if you have any specific questions.

[TAK]

I have always been opposed to the idea but a very smart friend is cruising now on a Wauquiez/Hood 38 that has a centerboard and he has changed that opinion.. Its a boat worthy of consideration.

[JakeLevi]

I have heard stories, creditable of a CB being stuck down, or up, leakage etc, so have avoided them,

but have seen some very nice boats listed that have been sailing for years,

then recently read of two circumnavigators who did full tours with one. So I am trying to find out more. There is a sloop and a ketch both listed that I could happily live with, if......

[sailingdog]

The real problem with CB boats is the lack of righting moment and the dangers a heavily weighted CB can present in a knockdown. The weighted centerboard, if not properly secured, may break loose or swing and damage the centerboard trunk in the case of a knockdown, which can cause the boat to sink.

The best compromise maybe a heavily weighted keelstub with an unweighted CB for improved windward performance. The heavy keelstub still provides a significant righting moment, while the centerboard provides both windward performance and the ability to reduce draft. Another advantage of a centerboard boat is the ability to adjust the CLR for weather helm a bit. The CLR can be moved aft a bit by raising the CB slightly.

[cardiacpaul]

gander at some of the older cat/ketch freedoms.

[JakeLevi]

Morning Paul

how much older ? Most of the boats I am looking at are older, one a year older then me, and thats old. I havent noted any Freedoms yet, not a lot of them out there, one Rhodes ketch, one Pearson sloop, most are from 20-35 yrs old, plus the one 66 yr old.

What do these that you are suggesting offer/have ?

[mstern]

I think you minimize centerboard problems by choosing a model that has a proven track record. A manufacturer that is still in business will support your boat with parts and advice. If I were in the market for an ocean cruiser, I would not rule out centerboard models. However, there are big differences between types that you should keep in mind. A true centerboard contributes relatively little righting movement to a boat. Fully down, it may lower the CG somewhat, but the overwhelming majority of the boat's stability is in the fixed keel ballast. The true centerboard's primary purpose is to provide additional lift for upwind performance. If it jams in the up position, you sacrifice performance, not safety. Lifting or swing keels are different. They contain a good portion of the boat's ballast. If they jam in the up position, you get a higher CG, and that affects the boat's stability. The trade off is that in the down position, they lower the boat CG more than a centerboard, providing greater stiffness and stability.

[cardiacpaul]

some of the 80's freedom 33's had CB's, not sure about the rest

[pigslo]

All that bulls**t aside that is speculation on the physics of centerboards, pay attention to owners of centerboard boats good and bad. As an owner of a 1977 Heritage West Indies I will give you the facts.

1.) They point like crazy.
2.) They can bang around in rolly seas offshore when running but you should have it up running.
3.) Mine can be pulled up tight in thr trunk.
4.) The draft is 4' up and 9' down and sails just fine with the board up. I fact I only drop the board when offshore and need to pinch.
5.) The keel is 7,000 pounds of lead that is spread over 4 feet instead of 5 foot on the same models fixed keel. The difference in cg is not appreciable. You can do the math on 7,00 lbs at 4 feet and additional weight (not sure the board weight) at 9 feet is plenty of righting moment.
6.) Yes there is potential for a leak thru the cable housing.
7.) No offense to all you wannabee boat phd s.

pigslo