Haven 12-1/2 question

[LazyJack]

I have a friend with a Haven 12 1/2 with a centerboard which does not drop easily. It has to be "helped" down with a little persuasion of the iron variety. He is interested in removing the centerboard to assess it's flatness and see where it is hanging up. How is the board removed?

[paladin]

Chainsaw works, try to miss the metal fasteners.....sorry...I drawed one with fixed keel....

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Is the boat kept afloat?

If so, consider:

• barnacles in the c/b slot or on the board itself if it has not been antifouled and the boat is not used frequently

• mud or grit in the c/b slot if she is on a drying mooring or has gone aground.

A good poke all round the board with a steel lath will sort these conditions out. To do this, you will need to take the top of the case off at the aft end (that is why it is above the waterline!)

If the boat is kept ashore you may also get dried mud caking up in the case.

To remove the board, undo the pin, which is (correctly!) outside the hull, passing through the ballast keel. It is, if the boat was built to plan, 5/8" bronze.

[Brent Cummings]

The centerboard must be removed from the bottom. Therefore the boat should be either blocked up or suspended in straps. The pin should be found in the lead ballast. Remove the pin and pull the board out the bottom.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Well, yes!

And be sure that the straps or blocks are clear of the centreboard slot, of course.

[Lazy Jack]

Got it!

Thanks folks