Centerboard Gasket - Bucc 18

[RRaedeke]

I recently bought a '78 Buccaneer 18 - it is in need of a new centerboard gasket.

Nickles Boat Works sells a Mylar gasket and provides help on how to install without the metal trim pieces.

However, I'm not racing this boat and have read that if the intention is to beach the boat, Mylar is not the best choice.

Does anyone have a suggestion or thoughts about using a rubber gasket that might be a bit more forgiving than Mylar. I am considering buying rubber sheeting (like that used in shower pans) and making my own gasket.

Is there a recommended adhesive and or sealant for this? I do intend to use the SS metal trim plates and screws to re-install.

Or should I stick with the tried and true Mylar method?
Thanks for the advice.

Richard
Denver, CO

[jimq26]

When I was campaigning my Albacore one-design, I always made my own. I replaced them every year to stay competitive.

Fairly easy to do - just measure the stiff material carefully, fold over and fasten down the open edges with the metal strips. I allowed about a 1/2" overlap in the centre.

Here's a link for gasket material - Parts & Rigging

[RRaedeke]

Thanks for the thoughts -
Did you use a sealant of some sort?

I can see how the sail cloth would easily slide past one another - Now that you indicate the 1.5" overlap, I worry about the rubber binding against itself.

But if it's easy - I may just give it a shot and see what happens.
Thanks

[jimq26]

I remember doing a zig zag stitching to keep the folded over stiff sail material together where it went under the hold down plates.

[Memopad]

Kind of heavy to beach the boat isn't it? The gasket is far enough back where even if you got the bow on the beach the gasket probably would still be in the water... depending on what you mean by beaching.

If you're not racing, i'm wondering why replace the gasket at all? Maybe at speed water would shoot up through the trunk if you didn't... I had a bucc 18 last spring and i remember the gasket had been replaced with a thick black rubber. I think just about anything will work there.