TOPIC:

My Centre Board is beginning to slip on reaches - It use to stay down due to friction but no more. I looked to see if there is room on the board for a friction brake - piece of hose - but it looks a bit limited on space.
Is any one using a down haul line to hold the board down?
where do they lead it to?
and does it get in the crews way when taking?
Any words of wisdom appreciated

Thanks
Richard
Aeolian 6959

I use some 8mm strong elastic. It is anchored off on the tow strap fastening under the thwart, passing through a block on the top of the centre board. It passes over the thwart from behind. There is a small block on the elastic with a piece of string attached. This goes to a cleat towards the back of the boat.

It only gets tightened when its windy.

Hope it helps.

Phil

The most elegant solution (and the most expensive) is to use a continuous long line which both hauls the centreboard down and up - to be seen on the boats of those sponsored by fittings manufacturers. Friction in the system (in which the control rope passes round lots of turning blocks) keeps the board where it is set.

Being a cheapskate I just use a bit of rope to a jammer on the thwart - elastic is no good in rough conditions. Watching the board suddenly come up when hiking flat out on a reach is always good for a laugh(for the other boats that is).

In really rough conditions I find it helps to leave the board down on all legs of the course - the increase in stability makes up for the extra drag.

Hi Richard

A piece of Jap tape in the centreboard casing will tale up some slack

regrads

Paul
alb 8158

Standard Fireball down-haul, the lower string in the picture starts underneath a hole in c/board case, astern of max down, with a knot on the end, around the block on the board & then off to a take up.