I must be the 3rd person to damage the centerboard trunk in all of
Potterdom. I described it on the list last year, but I'll briefly review it
here. I hit a submerged rock with the bottom of the centerboard, bringing
the boat to a complete and abrupt stop. I know this because the front
lockdown bolt acted as a pivot, causing the rear bolt (stainless steel) to
push up through the fiberglass. I have a 1995 P19, and the fiberglass there
is more lie ½"-5/8" thick. However, the bolt came completely out through the
top of the trunk making quite a mess of the fiberglass. The fiberglass
centerboard cap was ruined, and when the centerboard could pivot no more,
the front bolt came out through the fiberglass too. The centerboard hit the
back of the trunk at the keel, but the repair yard inspected it and could
find no damage - a good show of hull strength in critical areas.
The repairs included repairing the trunk (you know, hoisting the boat in
order to drop the centerboard), making and installing a new cap (out of
TEAK!!!), and reterminating the cable. We paid a deductible, but insurance
paid the rest. The bill was pretty high, giving me another reason to
navigate more diligently, but they did an excellent job.
Now, I've got a new question. Do you know of anyone who has done one or both
of the following modifications:
1. Replaced the centerboard cable with small diameter, low stretch
line, or
2. Installed a quick-release mechanism on the centerboard cap so that
the cable (or line) can be swung up out of the way once the centerboard is
locked in the down position.
I think that if this were done it would open up the cabin tremendously. We
spent 5 night on the boat on Block Island last summer (me, wife, 6-year old
son), and getting those cables out of the way would be a big improvement.
Thanks.
Andy Krumpe
P19 Great Wight
Seacoast of New Hampshire
Current weather conditions: Dark
Judy B. wrote:
Mac et al,
I'm curious about how your keel locks down. I'm one of four people
(including you) that I know of who have damaged their P19 keel trunk...