Restoring MkII 5231 – centreboard broken

[Ken Russell]

Just got my refurbished MkII towed out to the water and ready for its first dip, when I managed to split the centreboard at the pivot hole while trying to install it. Very frustrating. Any recommendations for repair or replacement?

Ken, 5231

[Bob Harland]

Hi Ken, not quite sure from your description what the damage is – around the pivot hole? – in which case an epoxy infill might be an option, you could do that with a bolt in place to retain the hole or drill a new hole if you have the equipment to do that.
If the bolt is in place be sure to have it in something that will release – polythene perhaps – before the epoxy sets too hard.

If the area of damage is large then a timber infill might be possible. But if your centreboard is now in two pieces then a replacement would be in order.

hopre that helps

[Ken Russell]

Unfortunately the centre board is in two pieces. I would like to post a picture, but cannot figure out how to do it!
I see that Trident offer a 19mm centreboard – seems like it is only the wood and you have to drill holes etc.?

[Bob Harland]

Ken, you should be able to copy a picture then just paste it in.
Sometimes new centreboards will have an oversized epoxy plug to drill the bolt hole through, otherwise if the bolt goes through timber it will quickly wear any varnish away. Use the old board as a template for the hole position, check the existing board to see if the hole is perpendicular and be careful to match it to avoid any alignment issues with the centreboard case.

It is best to fit the centreboard on dry land – either careen the boat onto its side and secure it with the jib halyard (not the main), or if the boat is shuffled back a bit on the trolley there should be enough wiggle room to remove it from inside the boat.

bob

[Ken Russell]

Hi, been away from home for a couple of weeks.  Eventually figured out how to post the photo.

It seems obvious that this centreboard has been “fixed” before.  Forrard edge of the board has been glued and screwed on.  Planning to set dowel pins in the after part of the split and screws to fix the forrard edge. …  lots of epoxy!

Ken 5231

[Alexander Barry]

hi Ken.
i’d love to know what the trick on posting a photo is!

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