Tim, sounds like some sort of obstruction in the centerboard slot...
usually a p-15 centerboard, since it is an 80lb or so piece of steel
boilerplate descends very rapidly, almost "crashing" down unless
the skipper brakes it by holding onto the control lanyard carefully.
On my boat, I installed a four to one tackle (a set of double blocks)
so I would have a "pulley system" to both brake the descent of the
board and have easy raising of the board when sailing into shallows..
Since you have a small child aboard it is also important to get this
fixed properly, as many years ago a P-15 skippers child suffered
an injured finger when the board descended too fast... If the factory
now builds in some sort of friction brake that I am unaware of you
could call IM to learn more about how it works.. if something is
just "stuck" in the Centerboard trunk you should be able to spot it
by peering downward with a flashlight, or upward from under the
boat, into the slot... Does not sound quite right to me..
Glad you like your new boat, and congratulations... much joy of
her through the years to you.. they are indeed, terrific little boats.
Best wishes,
Bruce
Bruce Hood, P-15 Aillte, Sail no. 1246 since 1985
Chico,California
Tim wrote:
> I am a first time sailboat owner and new Potter 15 owner as of last January. I purchase a 1998 demo Potter 15 from International Marine and finally had the opportunity to sail last Friday. What a great sailboat.
>
> I have a question about the keel. I first had trouble lowering it. It was stuck and it took a bit of jiggling until it finally lowered. I then have questions if the keel was in the full down position or not. The keel had a portion of the keel in the cabin that seemed to be at an odd angle and was not straight up and down but angled toward the bow.
>
> Is there anything that I can do to loosen the keel up so it lowers easily, and how can you tell if the keel is completely lowered?
> If anyone could shed some light on this subject I would greatly appreciate it.
>
> Tim Heier
> Potter 15, # 2288, Lady Bug (named by my four year old daughter).
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Your high school sweetheart-where is he now? With 4.4 million alumni
> already registered at Classmates.com, there's a good chance you'll
> find her here. Visit your online high school class reunion at:
> http://click.egroups.com/1/3139/3/_/917698/_/956603479/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Post: WWPotter@egroups.com
> Help: WWPotter-owner@egroups.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good friends, school spirit, hair-dos you'd like to forget.
Classmates.com has them all. And with 4.4 million alumni already
registered, there's a good chance you'll find your friends here:
http://click.egroups.com/1/2885/3/_/917698/_/956604837/
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post: WWPotter@egroups.com
Help: WWPotter-owner@egroups.com
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sun Apr 30 2000 - 03:27:14 PDT