centerboard

Posted By: Mark
Date: 8/8/08 4:48p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Great idea ... (Gene Bragalone - 5.2 #485)

A big thank you goes to all you guys who have "been there, done that..." I sail in the broad headwaters of some very shallow rivers (and am forced to set the tiller some distance from the beach...quite a trick singlehanded when the wind picks up. I do use a safety line!... ;o)...Anyhow, I've been getting to know the boat recently(and managed to tear loose one of the board's cam cleats in my attempts to "sail by feel." I was surprised how nimble/quickly this little boat reacts to the tiller/wind shifts! plenty of fun in light airs... The trailer that came with my boat is a homemade job that doesn't tilt and has some unhandy braces welded in so I think I will build some kind of lifting rig o/o 4x4's and an overhead beam trolly/chain fall, set the boat down and like Bob suggests, pad the gunnel and use the mast to lay her over, then block her there for ease of access from both cockpit and hull sides. I also appreciate the advice in re 3/8 braid and prepurchase of bedding compound! My concern with using airtools is the amt. of "instant torque." I do have an impact driver and a small 2 lb. hammer. Sounds like that may be the ticket for breaking things loose...just don't want to "break" the boat ;o). btw, I use the vang from my keel boat to lift the mast easily by attaching it between the bow eye and the spinaker ring, stand in the stern, start lifting the mast and just bring it up with a pull on the vang (standing aft of the trunk). works great. directions in the owners' manual made no sense to me....