Hardware for homemade daggerboard

[jamesg]

I just bought an old (pre-'71) Sunfish last week, first boat I've ever owned other than homemade rafts as a child. The boat is missing its daggerboard, and I am planning on making one out of oak. I assume I am far from the first one to do this.

So, what, if any, parts do I need to complete the daggerboard? Obviously there is a brass strip on the originals that I assume puts pressure against the hull to keep the board in place...where can I get these, or what can I use instead? Anything else I will need? Thanks!

 

[Alan Glos]

To honest, you don't need the brass tension strip. Instead, attach a length of shock cord to the top of the leading edge of the board and hook the other end to the halyard cleat. This will hold the board in the up, down or any point between position.

Alan Glos
Cazenovia, NY

p.s. Mahogany is the wood of choice for a daggerboad but a piece of well seasoned white oak will also suffice and is a lot less expensive and available.