Daggerboard not going down
Daggerboard not going down
My 26x dagger board wont go down. I've heard it mentioned that the boards have holes in so they fill up water. Meaning they wont go down if the holes are blocked as board just floats. Is this correct about board needing to be able to fill with water?
If so then blockage is quite possible as she's on a tidal mooring & sits down on silt seabed every low tide.
If there are holes in board, are they accessible to unblock when boat's on trailer?
Thanks
If so then blockage is quite possible as she's on a tidal mooring & sits down on silt seabed every low tide.
If there are holes in board, are they accessible to unblock when boat's on trailer?
Thanks
- pitchpolehobie
- First Officer
- Posts: 480
- Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 8:46 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: USA, OH
Re: Daggerboard not going down
26X here. Sometimes growth on the board will cause it to stick in the centerboard trunk. I have found lightly reversing the boat will allow some water to flow into the trunk and pull the board down. It really just takes a few seconds of reverse to start the process. If that doesn't work easily I'd pull your boat and inspect it. Was your CEnterboard pulled up when the boat was experiencing the tides?
2002 MacGregor 26X: Remedium
Tohatsu 25HP
Cruising Area: Inland Ohio, Lake Erie
Tohatsu 25HP
Cruising Area: Inland Ohio, Lake Erie
- Russ
- Admiral
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi
Re: Daggerboard not going down
It's possible silt has clogged up the trunk also. Sitting on the bottom at low tide is likely allowing silt in there and causing it to stick. I'd pull the boat and inspect.
--Russ
- Be Free
- Admiral
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Steinhatchee, FL
Re: Daggerboard not going down
It sounds like you have something in the centerboard trunk. Silt or marine growth would be a good guess.
If you have the boat on the trailer you may not be able to lower the centerboard more than a couple of inches. It really depends on how the board lines up on the trailer cross-members. It's worth a try putting the boat on the trailer and trying to lower the board. In any case you may be able to see what is blocking it from moving.
If you find that you can lower the board while the boat is on the trailer you may consider rigging a line or temporary cross-member to keep the board from dragging on the pavement if it should come down while you are going down the highway.
If you have the boat on the trailer you may not be able to lower the centerboard more than a couple of inches. It really depends on how the board lines up on the trailer cross-members. It's worth a try putting the boat on the trailer and trying to lower the board. In any case you may be able to see what is blocking it from moving.
If you find that you can lower the board while the boat is on the trailer you may consider rigging a line or temporary cross-member to keep the board from dragging on the pavement if it should come down while you are going down the highway.
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
Re: Daggerboard not going down
I knew all that thanks. So no one knows about holes in dagger boards ?
- Dougiestyle
- Engineer
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Wed Oct 18, 2017 7:18 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Rockport TX
Re: Daggerboard not going down
yes holes in the centerboard too allow it to go down. its hollow.
Dougiestyle
1998 26X , Nissan 50D, "Water Buffalo"
1998 26X , Nissan 50D, "Water Buffalo"
- Ozphotog
- Just Enlisted
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Sat Dec 26, 2020 3:38 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Brisbane Australia
Re: Daggerboard not going down
The centreboard is quite heavy and should drop even if the holes are clogged.
The other users suggestion sounds likely.
Mine jammed because the PO padded it out at the pivot pin with plywood to stop the rattle and used a bolt and nut instead of the pin.
The plywood swelled and jammed the board from dropping.
The other users suggestion sounds likely.
Mine jammed because the PO padded it out at the pivot pin with plywood to stop the rattle and used a bolt and nut instead of the pin.
The plywood swelled and jammed the board from dropping.
Ian Wharton
Macgregor 26x
Queensland Australia
Macgregor 26x
Queensland Australia
- Sea Shadow
- Chief Steward
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Boronia, Victoria, Australia
Re: Daggerboard not going down
THe daggerboard does have holes in it to "sink" it. However, I have found that with any forward movement of the boat (and probably aft movement) the pressure of the water pushes back on the board and jams it. Solution, stop moving forward or even reverse briefly. My board does take a little while to fill with water and drop. On the other hand it can be quite heavy to lift up as it is full of water that takes a while to drain out of the holes,pobinr wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 12:47 am My 26x dagger board wont go down. I've heard it mentioned that the boards have holes in so they fill up water. Meaning they wont go down if the holes are blocked as board just floats. Is this correct about board needing to be able to fill with water?
If so then blockage is quite possible as she's on a tidal mooring & sits down on silt seabed every low tide.
If there are holes in board, are they accessible to unblock when boat's on trailer?
Thanks
PS: I would not leave the board down it there is a likeliehood of the boat settling on the bottom. Hate to think what would happen as the boat lowered down on the daggerboard, jammed and then either tipper the boat on the side or snapped the daggerboard.
Extraordinary times expose (extra)ordinary people.