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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Centerboard Cable

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Andiamo
Deckhand

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USA
17 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/06/2005 : 04:06:10

Hello - This is my first post to the forum. I bought a 1995 250 WB last fall and have sailed it one season. I previusly sailed a Hunter 23 for 2 seasons so my sailing experience is limited and I am for the most part self taught on most sailing matters.

I find this forum to be very informative and have recently joined the assocation.

With that as a backgroud, here is my question. I had a yard pull the boat this season and put it on the trailor. After it was pulled, he showed me that the centerboard cable had snapped near the connection point with the centeboard. It appears to be a simple fix provided you are having the boat hauled out by a yard. I assume that it would be impossible to fix if you were hauling it yourself because you need to have the board down.

The previous owner had the same problem once before so during the life of the boat, it happened twice. Is this common on 250s? Should I replace the connection on regular intervals (perhaps three years)? It would sure be a pain to have the boat hauled for a problem like this in the middle of the season.

Bob Murphy

Bob & Cathy Murphy
"Andiamo"
1994 WB

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2005 : 08:02:49

Hi Bob and welcome to the forum.

The cable can be pinched and sliced if the center board is pushed up into its well by grounding or a hoist strap under the board. Maintenance on it is easier on a hoist but not necessary. I've done it both in the water and on the trailer. If you arrive at one of those junctures, ask again for guidance and specifics will come from those of us who've been there.

Some have converted to a fiber cable, which I think is Catalina's latest design offering. I don't know if it has suffered any failures from being pinched and sliced but it is perported to be longer lasting in a salt water environment.

I've suffered failures twice in ten years... the first was fatigue at the original swaged connector... a design flaw because the connector couldn't pivot fully at the board mounting location, which forced the cable to bend fore and aft right at the connector with each cycle of the board raising lowering. The second was a slicing when I grounded the board (board raised).

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sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2005 : 15:44:41

My cable snapped 2 times. The third cable was replaced with line rather than the original metal (design change by Catalina). Knock wood no problems in the last 2 years. Since I'm planning on hauling soon, I ordered a new cable kit from Catalina, was $27. plus shipping.
This is what they sent me in the photo. The first thing I noticed was that the "line" is far thicker than the one on my boat now, and the last line came with a different size block, smaller than the original metal cable block. This block is by far the largest of the 3. I put a quarter in the photo to give all a idea of size. I wonder if the larger diameter of the line is going to make the change tougher. Also I note the material is very soft.

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Andiamo
Deckhand

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USA
17 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2005 : 18:00:41

Thanks for the advice. It appears to be a good idea to change out the cable to the new design. Newer is better - Right? I assume the end with the fitting attaches to the centerboard and the other end simply ties to the fitting in the cabin.

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sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2005 : 09:40:45

yup

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Keith D.
Navigator

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USA
233 Posts

Response Posted - 11/07/2005 : 21:38:41

Bob actually removing the centerboard and replacing the cable is an easy matter when the boat is on the trailer. I have removed the centerboard three times on the trailer now and each time I have found an easier way to do it. It now takes me only 20 minuets or less to remove the centerboard and the same for reinstallation. Here is a short cut to a post on this procedure. http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9513

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sdaly66
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2005 : 16:41:08

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. After seeing this thread, I told the folks at my marina that I wanted them to inspect my cable when they hauled me for the winter. So of course, this past Saturday....it failed.

Kudos to Bubba, who also ties up at my marina, for being a champ all day - including an attempt at helping me recover the board using a line slung under the boat. This, to no avail, but he was a tropper for trying to help out.

Edited by - on

Bubba
Admiral

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USA
542 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2005 : 21:24:50

Aye matey, but since we shant be sailin' let's be rememberin' the best of times! Here be Captain Shawn and his hearty crew at their best! [url="http://mywebpages.comcast.net/frayed-knot/images/IMG_1024.JPG"] <b>Click here</b>[/url]

Edited by - Bubba on 11/08/2005 21:30:50

Andiamo
Deckhand

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USA
17 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2005 : 08:41:48

Thanks for all the input.

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JohnMD
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2005 : 12:10:11

Just FYI, we also have a 95 WB and recently replaced the stainless cable 'just in case'. I sent Catalina an email and they sent me a replacement cable and block for free. It's pretty easy to replace the thing. Takes longer to tell someone about it than it does to do it. I did mine on the trailer.

Edited by - on

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.