Hi All -
If we get a break in the weather this weekend, I hope to pull my Spindrift DS1 of it's trailer for some centerboard repair and adjustment. The leading edge of the CB is kind of dinged up and I figure to get out the epoxy to do a little filling and fairing.
My first question has to do with the CB adjustment lever. With the lever in the fully retracted position, the board still sticks out 3-4" - maybe more. I suspect that the mechanism and/or the hole in the CB is worn and may need to be replaced, but is there any provision for adjustment in the system? Any suggestions for how to fix this short of buying a new lever assembly and/or CB? I suppose I'll know more once the board is out, but I'd really appreciate any tips.
Second question. The boat has a pretty good trailer, but the actual boat support system seems pretty minimal. It has a pair of 4' edgewise 2x4s aligned beneath the seat-front bulkheads, a roller a bit forward of the mast step, and a more recently added crosswise 5/4x6 supporting the CB. (The lack of the CB support during the boat's first 25 years or so may be the reason I needed to ask question #1.) That's about 145 square inches of support. Maybe this is enough. It does not seem to have caused any damage or deformation to the hull so far (except for the CB). But my gut and a previous thread tell me that I should take this opportunity to install a more substantial bunk system. Anyone out there who has put a lot of trailering miles on their DS have any advise to offer?
Thanks,
- John