Centreboard banging

[Julian Porter]

Is it normal for the centreboard to bang on the casing when sailing in heavy seas?

[erbster]

Yes, I’m afraid so. We call it the clonking plate.

Usually happens in a swell with light winds. Either put up with it or put it up...


Cape Cutter #86 Aurora
travellingaurora.wordpress.com

[zimp]

I agree with Ebster, put it (partly) up. I always keep some tension on the centreboard wire.

[erbster]

Downwind, it obviously does less work, so if it’s clonking, you might as well pull it up (but the boat will roll noticeably more). If you raise it going to windward, you make a lot of leeway (doesn’t usually clonk in that situation though)

A couple of seasons ago, our centre plate was jammed up during a holiday, so I was forced to sail with no centre plate down. I was horrified at how much leeway we made and my wife was horrified at how much we were heeling....


Cape Cutter #86 Aurora
travellingaurora.wordpress.com