Centreboard maintenance

[Ozzie]

http://www.trailersailerplace.com.au/ph ... out#p67077

Yep , as in pic in above link the original CB is fairly square edged , but not very thick so I don't think it has much bearing on the dynamics . Probably worth noting that the long keel itself is pretty chunky.

This link also notes the minimal deterioration on my moored boat with nothing more than fishoil each year. I've since welded on the new pull ring and given it a coat of epoxy metal paint and anti foul but I still hit it with the fishoil before I relaunch.

[Seawind]

I think that debate as to whether to moor or trailer comes down to individual circumstances but I am encouraged by Ossie's experience as far as his center board is concerned. In my case my preferred sailing area is an hour's drive away and the ramp is often packed with fishermen, many of whom have not yet digested last night's grog and are antagonistic towards sailors. As I often launch single handed antagonism is the last thing I need at that time.

Having started in dingys I am a little obsessed with center board shapes and when I eventually get my I563 the board will be shaped. Sorry Ossie!
Cheers
Charles

[Yara50]

Charles,
The beaut thing about the I563 is that the centreboard is exactly that, and not critical for stability. If you go to the trouble of replacing a c/b I would recommend the aluminium version which I have on Yara. Much easier to shape, and can be lifted by a child.

[Ozzie]

I would go for aluminium too if I were replacing the CB. I bit of shaping would be a good thing I guess but as I'm a lazy basket I'm just happy to be out on the water and moving. I've had invites to join the local sailing club and club race and while I see the attraction of sqeezing the best performance out of the Investigator,I'm not at that stage of life anymore.

My wife has now officially retired and we hope to really get out and enjoy the lake and Port Stephens ths summer. I do enjoy the windy days when we are really pumping her along at hull speed 40' heel but I think if it went any faster I might scare myself my only concession to hull dynamics is scrubbing the bottom a few times through the season.

Anyway good luck with it all...sorting out what suits you is really part of the great fun of boat ownership, sail or power , it's like a hundred correct answers to the same question.