Daggerboard problem

santacruzin · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

To start off, I'll freely say that what I know about boats and sailing would probably fit in most of your little fingers. That said, I still went out and bought a Neptune 24 with a shoal keel and daggerboard anyway. My untrained eyes, and a MUCH more knowledgable friend tell me the boat is in pretty good shape. Now that I have it I have found a 'little' problem and I am hoping you all can help me.

The daggerboard WILL NOT release down. Try as I might I can't push it down. I removed a stubborn (and rusted) screw driver that was used as a pin out of the rod but the board won't fall. There was a small privacy wall for the head that I removed to gain better leverage. This made no difference, so it sits.

Any ideas on what A is wrong and B how to go about fixing it?

Thanks

Hartley18 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

You'll have to give us a bit more info on the set-up you have. How is it raised? A hand winch or hydraulic??

If it's a hand winch, is there anything fouling the winch cable??

--Cameron

santacruzin · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

The Daggerboard is raised by hand. It looks to me like the rod is iron or steel that is encased in PVC. There is a handle attached to the PVC to raise and lower the board. It is stuck in the up position. Hope this helps.

Hartley18 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

Removing the locking pin (the rusty screwdriver by the sounds of it) should be all you have to do.

How long has it been since it was last sailed? Is this the first time after launching? Could the board have taken a hit somehow? There isn't any loose bits of rope or anything fouling the case?

--Cameron

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

If the rod has corroded, it will have expanded in size, since Iron Oxide, or rust, take up more volume than steel or iron does. If that is the case, you're going to have to remove the rod and replace it before the dagger board will work properly. The rod sounds like it acts as a guide for the dagger board.

CapnHand · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

If you have any way of contacting the previous owner, he may be able to help. He may have dealt with the issue before and know exactly what the problem is. Other than that, you may have to haul it out to see where the problem is.

santacruzin · #7 (**permalink**) 10-02-2007

The swollen rod is probably to problem...

So pretty much brute force is the only way?

Hartley18 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by santacruzin

The swollen rod is probably to problem...

So pretty much brute force is the only way?

Yes.

If you can spray some sort of lubricant (like silicone spray) down the side of the rod and board that might help it move - but you'll need to get the board out of the boat somehow to get it fixed.

--Cameron

santacruzin · #9 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007

Thanks guys,

I'll try the lube, but my hopes are not high.

Wayne25 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007

You need deeper water :-)
Sorry, couldn't resist. Looks like you will have to haul it and look at that rod. If it rusted and expanded the PVC, I don't think you could force it down. What is the rod connected to and can it be removed?