Center board installation

The centerboard is so heavy that it requires two people to install. My buddy Ken came over and we installed it together.

I got everything ready to install before hand so that we could get it done quickly. Here is a shot of the centerboard rigging. I chose to put the block up higher rather than lower like in the plans.

Rigging is ready.

I also rigged up a couple of packing tape straps. Here you can see one strap on the centerboard. This makes it really easy to hold with two hands, forklift style. The 22 lb lead weight is placed low, so it weighting feels abnormal if you just lift it.
Be sure to wrap the packing tape around the leading edge, both directions. Once everything is installed you can drop the centerboard down and the tape is easy to remove.

packing tape handles.

Note: make sure you can get the 1/4" line through the copper tube, mine was a bit bulbous at the end and didn't go through well.

We successfully installed it and the 3:1 rigging makes it go up and down easily.


Now I need some advice on trailering. How does one lock up the centerboard when traveling? That little cam cleat seems to be a bad idea when the boat is vibrating. I'm considering something to tie on the transom.

I'd also like some ideas about how to make sure that the centerboard does not hyperextend. I haven't been able to see the centerboard extended, so I don't even know if it can hyperextend, but it seems like a bad idea to have it smashing against the sapele trunk. Seems easy to put a rubber stopper on there, but how to mount it?