Centerboard Newbie

[Tartan207]

I recently purchased a vintage Tartan 27. This is my first vessel with a centerboard. The Rubber/Metal guide that protects the fiberglass from the cable where it meets the hull is out of place. It looks like someone had roofing tar to seal it before. I wanted to reach out to the community and ask if they recommend a piece of hardware for the thru hull section or just tossing a couple layers of 4200 down and let her splash.

[tkeithlu]

Welcome to the forum, Tartan.

Could you post a picture? I can't picture "protects the fiberglass from the cable where it meets the hull" in my mind.

[Adelie]

Welcome

[Tartan207]

Sorry - First Centerboard so I am new to this!

[Tartan207]

Hey I still don't even know how to use the forum like and idiot... https://postimg.cc/DmY5k5Mg There is the pic anyway. Appreciate the insight!

[NYSail]

I had a Pearson 36-2 with a centerboard. It was a great thing. First thing I did when I bought boat was to take the entire thing apart. On the Pearson there was a ss sheive housing on the hull…… I had to get it replaced. Welder did a great job. I would feel uncomfortable just splashing without knowing what was going on. Maybe ask the previous owner.
Good luck

[Jammer]

I had a Morgan 24 and now a Hunter 260 which are both centerboard boats.


From your photo it appears to me that the original construction probably included a fiberglass "nipple" to which the tube for the centerboard cable was attached. This, I believe, is now broken off and so you have roofing tar etc. A "proper" fix would be to remove the tar and pipe and whatever and grind down to the fiberglass, then construct a new nipple using fiberglass and epoxy. Then the tube could be connected to this using a piece of rubber hose and hose clamps.


That's a lot of work, and may not be worth it.


A drawback of centerboard boats is that most designs have mechanical components that are difficult to access, exposed to salt water, and that can lead to a dangerous (sink-the-boat) leak if they fail.