The "manual" doesn't quite address all of my questions:
My first question is this: when the winds are very light, or non-existent,
I hear the centerboard banging everytime the boat rocks. The centerboard
is definitely all the way down when this happens. When the winds pick up
and the boat actually sails the banging goes away. Obviously the force of
movement pushes the centerboard to one side. Is it normal for the
centerboard to lightly bang as the boat rocks without sailing?
My second question: the boat has genoa tracks. Are these used by running
the jib sheet through the tracks and back up to the cam for the jib sheet??
I haven't actually used the genoa yet because the sail (which was brand
new) did not have a clip on the tack to connect the bow. Odyssey said
they were going to send me something but I haven't received it yet.
My third question: the boat has a boom vang. I read that it is mainly
used when running. Should it be reasonably tight all the time, or only
when running? I had it nice and snug last time I went sailing, but I
couldn't tell if it made a difference since there was no wind.
My last question: I noticed a slight amount of water in the hull (I'm
talking teaspoon). I checked this by opening the round access door on the
centerboard trunk and putting my arm WAY down there. Is it normal to have
a small amount of water down there? The boat was sailed three times before
I bought it, supposedly without incident. Could this be some kind of
leak?? I checked the drain plug and it seems to be o.k., although I plan
on putting a new one in for good measure.
Maybe I am just paranoid, but I accidentally sunk a boat on Lake Tahoe
(Lancer '25) two summers ago because it had a leak that I didn't know about
until it was too late. By the way I only owned that boat three days and
never did get to sail it. The insurance company promptly bought it, so
there is a happy ending.
Any input would be very appreciated.
Thanks.
Don Bergin
WWP 15 no name /haven't checked hull #