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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

WB Center Board Cable Breaking

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/07/2002 : 22:08:44

Hello, first time writing...I was wondering about my 2002 WB that is kept in salt water and concern about electrolysis issues developing with the pull up board rigging. Would a zinc anode hanging over the side do the trick??? Second Anyone have a problem with the cable breaking on their WB centerboard? Lucky me...broke after only four months.They also found a problem with the ball shive. Any similiar stories to ease my heartache? THANKS.

Sailynn

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Rob Poirier
Deckhand

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Canada
23 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2002 : 08:20:44

The first year I had my 1995 WB the centerboard cable broke. At that time the cable was secured to the board by an aluminum sleeve. I installed a fork terminal to the end of the cable and have not had a problem since. It also made is easier to remove the centerboard for painting.
Rob Poirier 250 WB #44

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n/a
deleted

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18 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2002 : 20:37:57

My centerboard cable has broken twice. While I was having the bottom redone this winter, the guy working on it found out that my trailer was not set up right (thee bunks were too low) and too much weight was being put on the centerboard literally pushing it up into and damaging the front pulley that lifts up the centerboard. The deformed pulley would then cut into the centerboard. Hope I never have the problem again.

Thing Wind

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 05/09/2002 : 16:15:16

Mine has failed twice, the first time after about 4 years of service...and the second upon riding up on a big rock which has the same effect as the problem with bunks too low. The board pushes up and jams the cable clevis into the sheave and in the process cuts or pinches the cable somehow.

I like the suggestion of raising the bunk boards...

So far, my turning ball has survived very well.

The block and tackle and other parts of the system have to be watched for any problem with twist in line or drag to ensure an easier haul.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224

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andy
Navigator

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USA
228 Posts

Response Posted - 05/23/2002 : 15:40:02

I sheared mine once trying to put the boat on the trailer with the board down....Doh!!! XXYZHFPMM!!!! (beep)!!!. We used timbers and jacks to lift the transom off the bunks.. Put the wheel jack all the way up to get the transom as low as possible to start. It was not an easy job and quite nerve racking at times. If it happens again I think I'll take it to the local marine dealer and rent their hoist.

Andy Anderson
CSCO Kid C250WB #163
MHYC McCall, Idaho

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Tray
Navigator

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Namibia
224 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2002 : 10:17:08

This topic must've jinxed me! I read this and thought, "damn, that sucks," but now I'm a statistic, too.

I have to raise my center board to leave my marina at low tide. When my wife went to lower it, I heard a loud clunk, and heard her say, "something's wrong." I found the steel cable sheared. It looks like it was cut. There was no corrosion or sign of electrolysis. I just bought the boat in November, and put it in the water in February. I wonder if Catalina is aware of this apparent defect?

BTW, does anyone else hear their centerboard clunking while crossing a wake or other rocking motion?

Tray
C-250WB #554
"Weeny Bean"

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2002 : 20:37:50

The cable breaking/being cut has been an ongoing problem. There have been some changes. No one that I know of has put the finger on the exact or most prevelant cause.

As far as clunking... that can be reduced by ensuring a tight shim on the axle. There are nylon shim washers on each side of the board. Get extras from Catalina to firm that up and it will make a slight improvement...but wont eliminate something inherrant to swing back center boards.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224

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mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2002 : 20:06:18

Tray,

Maybe someone can comment if it's not wise, but I've found I can reduce clunking (which usually happens most to me when the wind is dying and you're siting there getting rocked by motorboat wakes) by putting a little tension on the centerboard cable instead of just letting it completely out. With all the cable breaking stories, maybe this will aggrivate the situation. It usually doesn't seem to take much tension, though, to reduce clunking.

I also have a depth restriction of 5' going in and out of my marina (floating dock superstructure), so I pull the centerboard up halfway coming and going. This gives better steerage in crosswinds too. Other discussions in this forum claim you can improve handling in heavy weather by pulling the centerboard back some, so I didn't think this would be a problem.

Max Day
C250 WB 380
Lake Pleasant, AZ

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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.