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Centerboard mechanism Alden 44

4K views 4 replies 5 participants last post by  headwaters26 
#1 ·
Hello guys

I just bought a Alden 44 and I have a problem with the centerboard mechanism.
Has anybody an idea how it works and or drawings details and the access from the keel?
The hydraulic system is working fine but the centerboard doesn't move :eek
 
#3 ·
How long has it been sitting? Even modest amounts of fouling jams mine.

A diver with a machete can clear it or I usually just go sailing with it loosened off a little and the boats motion frees it off.

I have a Bombay Explorer 44 so similar size of boat.
 
#4 ·
Hi,
I sail Puffin, Alden 44 hull #4 on the San Francisco Bay

Last year I had the boat hauled and wanted to get the centerboard cleaned. I pumped the board down while in the travel lift and it didn't budge. It turned out that the board had disintegrated around the shaft so the shaft was rotating but it was just spinning in the board.

The shaft exits the bilge through a stuffing box like thing and I think the port end is supported with a bearing or bushing embedded in the keel.
There is a notch in the starboard side of the keel and the bilge extends down to contain the hydraulics and actuator arm.

To get the shaft out, the yard cut a 12 inch hole in the bilge centered about the shaft. They then removed the actuator arm and pushed the shaft out through the port side. They rebuilt the centerboard, remounted it and glassed back over the hole.

It was not a cheap operation, but I was able to claim some of it on insurance.
 

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#5 ·
Hi,
I sail Puffin, Alden 44 hull #4 on the San Francisco Bay

Last year I had the boat hauled and wanted to get the centerboard cleaned. I pumped the board down while in the travel lift and it didn't budge. It turned out that the board had disintegrated around the shaft so the shaft was rotating but it was just spinning in the board.

The shaft exits the bilge through a stuffing box like thing and I think the port end is supported with a bearing or bushing embedded in the keel.
There is a notch in the starboard side of the keel and the bilge extends down to contain the hydraulics and actuator arm.

To get the shaft out, the yard cut a 12 inch hole in the bilge centered about the shaft. They then removed the actuator arm and pushed the shaft out through the port side. They rebuilt the centerboard, remounted it and glassed back over the hole.

It was not a cheap operation, but I was able to claim some of it on insurance.
Hi Chris,

I realize it’s been several years, but am reaching out because we’re looking at an Alden 44 that has had it’s centerboard removed and are trying to figure out what would be involved to replace it.
May I ask what the cost was to reinstall your centerboard, and was the hydraulic system still intact, or was that replaced as well?

Thank you so much for any information you can provide!
 
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