Centreboard lift setup

[Robin]

I have dismantled the centreboard on my BRe and replaced the rather flimsy blocks, patched up a gouge in the leading edge, replaced the ropes -one of which was very frayed indeed, and generally tidied it up. Unfortunately in my usual haste I didn't really look at the block arrangement. I imagine that the distance between the two up haul pulleys is important. I have measured the rope as closely as possible but I do not wish to reassemble only to find I can't full lift the board. I recall seeing some technical illustrations about this but cannot find them. Any help appreciated! Robin

[Jonathan Stuart]

Robin,

I did some work on my BRe centreboard a few years ago and some of what I wrote on the forum might (or might not) help you. The post is here:

http://www.swallowyachtsassociation.org/smf/index.php/topic,738.msg4625.html#msg4625

I also took photos of the setup before I dismantled it and you can see them via these links:

https://flic.kr/p/u99AvX
https://flic.kr/p/tRxiat
https://flic.kr/p/tc96dk

On another laptop I think I have a copy of Matt's design for the BRe centreboard. That shows the rope runs and key measurements. Let me know if you want that and I'll send it to you.

On my BRe the distance between the blocks was important for two reasons:

1. The pulleys can't be too close together otherwise they will hit each other before the centreboard is fully raised. Easy avoided if you're rigging the CB with the CB raised.

2. According to the design, the ropes should be setup such the forward block hits a deck clip when the CB is fully down. The block hitting the deck clip is what stops the CB from swinging too far forward. If the distance between the uphaul blocks is too great then the CB won't fully lower and if it's too little then the CB can swing too far forward. However, on my boat I found the rope running through the deck clip added noticeably to the system's friction so I re-routed the rope outside of the deck clip. To avoid the CB swinging too far forward I tied a knot in the CB line outside of the CB case such that this knot hits the CB case when the CB is fully lowered (I set this up while on a pontoon).

Good luck!