How Can I Build a Retractable Center Board ?

[Lock]

Hey all, I hope the same crew chimes in on thsi new question.

I bought this Tri im refitting and learned that it is missing the retractable center board. If it were you and you had to build one, how and which material would you use. I had a Marstrom Tornado catamaran with Epoxy over wood rudders and boy were they sexy. I dont need anything like that, but the construction looked stiff and easy to make. I dont want anything too radical, but I need to it track well up wind. As of now it has no center board, but a "center board well" to house one.

[capt.bobfm]

Is the board supposed to be boyant or heavier than water? Is it a daggerboard or a pivoting board? How wide is the trunk and is it a straight slot or is it tapered? With a little more information, I might be able to suggest some building tecniques.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by capt.bobfm

Is the board supposed to be boyant or heavier than water? Is it a daggerboard or a pivoting board? How wide is the trunk and is it a straight slot or is it tapered? With a little more information, I might be able to suggest some building tecniques.

All good questions. Have you asked the PO what happen to it and maybe the builder of the boat has the prints/plans.

[Lock]

[QUOTE=delmarrey;537180]
This is gonna be the biggest headache of the refit. I can see it now....
Its early.

If it pivots you should see some evidence of this.
What about a winch...it there one on the trunk?

[capt.bobfm]

Don't dispare! It's not that big a deal. Give me some information and I'll walk you thru this if I can.

[Lock]

Del,

Great idea! I took your advice and found the original builder with a few google searches. Sent him an email and he got back with me right away and told me to give him a jingle when I'm state side. Thats good. It would be uber cool if he had some drawings and pics of the build. Im sure he's also flattered that I'm refitting his old boat and I'm sure it would be a hoot for him to see her slicing through the water again.

I really thank you all!