Association Forum - Centerboard cable failure from collision

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Centerboard cable failure from collision

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sterngucker
Navigator

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USA
169 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/26/2013 : 02:47:23

After the sailboat parade under the London Bridge at Lake Havasu, and brief sail with my wife, niece, and grand-niece aboard we decided to motor over to the California side of the lake. We went to the Indian casino for a little shore leave and went down the fairway to find a slip at their courtesy dock. It soon became apparent that all the slips were only 10-12 feet long and half my boat would be sticking into the fairway. The docks were tight, meant for small powerboats and not sailboat friendly. I decided to abort and proceeded to back out of the fairway in reverse. I heard a loud bang and knew I had caught something on the centerboard. Some lake marinas seem to be fond of stringing cables across slips and fairways.
. I stopped the boat and went below and found the centerboard lifting tackle in a pile on the floor. The two number 10 bolts holdling the main block had snapped in two and the main block was cracked and showing it's bearings. The centerboard had hyper-extended enough to free us so I continued backwards to tie up at the first convenient end tie. I went below and checked for any water coming in the bilge underneath the settees and elsewhere. Satisfied there weren't any cracks in the hull we motored the four miles back to the hotel slip. I kept checking the bilge for leaks during the evening as I was worried there might be a crack in the centerboard trunk.
. The next day I strapped my waterproof digital camera to the boat hook and set it on video recording. I used the camera to try to assess any damage and found the hull sound and the cable still well attached to the centerboard. I tried to get a shot of the turning ball but pointing the camera proved too challenging. A tug of the centerboard lifting cable also confirmed it was still properly attached. I dashed to the local West Marine and bought some new bolts, nuts, and block. I installed the new parts and got everything together and it seemed to be working properly.
. I don't recall at what angle the centerboard normally hung at but it is now raked about 20 degrees aft. Another thing I never really paid attention to was how the tackle looked with the board fully down. Now it is the jammimg of the lead in to the three block tackle that stops the centerboard from further travel. At what angle does the centerboard usually hang? Should it be vertical? Is the jamming of the end of the spectra line with the board all the way down normal? I hope someone has looked their setup recently. Any inputs would be appreciated.

Charlie
"C Angel" 250WB #799

Edited by - sterngucker on 02/26/2013 02:52:53

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2013 : 06:13:37

When launching "Brandy" in the spring I drop the centerboard down about two handfuls of line and lock it. Marked with tape now. I don't think I've sailed with the board all the way down. It seems with the centerboard raked aft has helped with previous roundups. I believe it is swung about halfway down its travel at this position. Hope this helps some. JMTCW

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2013 : 05:11:08

The original setup allowed for a vertical board but owners soon realized an aft raked board was preferred. At some point Catalina added a stopper block to position the aft raked position with no tension on the cable. I'm thinking 20° is a reasonable number.

There is a Catalina drawing somewhere showing the added stopper block... I'll see if I can find it and add to the thread.

Arlyn