Center Board Issue

lcorreia

New Member
Has anyone had any experience with a slightly curved centerboard. Curved like a banana. Probably from sitting for years on its side. Will this affect boat performance? Can this be fixed?

Any comments appreciated.

Thanks

H-Town
 
Might be faster to make a new one that straghten the old board. Anyway, remove finish, set ends on cinder blocks, place heavy weight on top/middle of board. Steam underside of board. Lot of work, huh? You can get a Oak Board from Menards that is the correct width and make a new one which is what I'm doing.

As far as performance, I would think it would tack a few points more into the wind in one direction than the other. A race advantage if you flip it so it bends to the lee side on each tack? Ha! Anyone see anything in the rules against using a "Bananna Board Mod" for the dagger board when racing? Sort of like a Hydro, turn left and go fast!
 
This may just be a revolutionary racing technique. But you can only banana the center board a little, or it won't fit.
 
The responders thus far assume a wood board. Is it wood or composite? The composite boards are reputed to change shape if not properly stored. If composite, you ought to be able to control reshaping by placing it in a warm environment with weight applied at the apex of the bow and check it regularly to get back to straight. You might check with LP, the manufacturer, for a more technical solution.
 
Yes it is composite, I didn't think it mattered, but your right. I think I'm going to gently sqeeze the centerboard between two straight 2x4s and let it sit in the sun. Its already 80 in Houston.

Thanks
 
Either hang it by its handle or lay it on something flat. The bending reports came out almost as soon as the boards started being distributed.

There is just some stainless wire inside for reinforcement (more for grounding than actual shape strength). Storing it cool will accomplish the same thing. I know I've flown with it a couple times and was concerned that if it was under a heavy bag I could be in trouble!

Wire reinforced composite is definitely not the same as a wooden board.
 
The newer board is made from polyurethane foam and reinforced with steel rods. And secondly, as pointed out in prior posts, deformation is typically due to high temperatures. Leaving the board in a hot car or under a cover in the boat while outside (sun) will deform the board. Just keeping the board at reasonable temperatures and stress free will preserve its shape just fine. With those precautions, there is no reason to loose sleep over this issue :cool:.
 

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