center board up or down

[smallboatlover]

my 16' sailboat has a swing centerboard what should i do leave it up or down. i have the boat. on a mooring.i left it up once and than i left i down this time i'm not sure weather to leave it up or down.

[BubbleheadMd]

Fresh or salt water? Fresh, it doesn't really matter. Salt, I'd leave it down. Stuff grows in the slot and binds the board.

[OtterGreen]

i know with my boat they recomend leaving it up as people who have left it down constantly in saltwater had problems with the keel pin failing prematurely.

[smallboatlover]

ok ya the boats in salt water.

[paulk]

Keeping the board up may help the boat to swing more easily into the wind, and reduce pressures and stress on the mooring line and cleats. I have seen Lightnings capsize at anchor because their lowered centerboards didn't allow the boats to swing fast enough, and a big puff (a REALLY big puff) blew the boats over. Your boat sounds like it might not be so light as to have that happen, but it gives you the idea of the possibilities. I'd leave the board up, and put it down when I got on board.

[nolatom]

Definitely up.

[Cptken]

Which ever way you choose, definitely move it to the other position a couple times every time you use the boat. A moveable centerboard left in one positon too long turns into a fixed keel.

[klem]

I like to keep them up. If you are in an area where the boat could go aground, definitely have it up.

[richardbur10]

A center board left up is a happy center board. But as already said here you have to exercise it, if not it gets unhappy and refuses to move when asked.

[smallboatlover]

ok thanks for all the answers i will leave it up when not on it and down the minute i get on it. i use the boat once to twice a week.,