Removing a centreboard

[Tringa]

Hello all, this is my first time on the forum and I’m hoping someone can help with this one please?

I need to remove the centreboard from my Wayfarer.

I’ve heard that there is a way that does not involve careening, by using a support for the tramsom. and partially sliding the launching trolley foreward from under the boat. I have checked this link –

http://wayfarer.org.uk/index.php?id=31&cmd=page

that descibes the process, but I cannot see the pictures(they show up as blank with the red cross in corner) I’ve asked friends to check the link to see if its my PC setup, but haven’t found anyone who can see them.

Has anyone removed a centreboard this way? If so, do you have any tips, safety issues etc? How easy is it return the boat to the trolley afterwards?

TIA

[Anonymous]

I did this job on a Wanderer without rolling it on its side or being in the water……..ie I propped up the front probably as it seems to be described on your link……..obviously the Wayfarer is heavier but careful use of props and chocks……..I don’t think you need to see the piks to do the job although it did take a while for me to relocate the bolt through.

Maybe if you can temporarily disable your PC security or reduce the level of security the piks would be visible.

Safety wise just don’t do it on your own……..I use old tyres and carpet if I need to get the boat off its trolley to protect the hull.

[PeterW3035]

I have just refitted my centreboard using the method described on the website and it proved a very simple operation.

Just wedge the trolley to stop it moving, with a minimum of four people (one each side, one at bow and one at stern) lift and slide the boat back so that the centre board exit hole is well past the trolley bearers or centre roller. Then prop the stern up onto a carpenter’s stool or workmate, the front of the board is still held on the trolley so no need for packing off the ground.

The board then easily slid back in, I expected that finding the bolt hole would be the hardest but by holding the board in it’s withdrawn position and wiggling a thin screw driver through the hole and the hole was easily located. We then pushed the centre bolt through pressed hard against the screwdriver tip.

All was well until the board would not push up into the slot, I feared that I had been over sealous with epoxy & varnish or that the board had warped. But after crawling under the boat and looking up into the slot an offending tribble of epoxy was found to be jamming and stopping the board. When this had been knocked off the board went in perfectly.

The key is to have enough help to lift the boat and keep it still while you fiddle the board in and out.

Peter
W3035

[PeterW3035]

In the second paragraph it is the boat that remains supported on the trolley not the board.
Peter W3035

[Tringa]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

[Author]

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