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T27 Hull 342 centerboard
This spring we discovered our board had fallen off after almost 50 years. I'd say that's pretty good service. But a bummer! Wallet ectomy ensued.
We hauled out to assess and found the 1/2 ss pin was in perfect shape, but there was just a small piece of bronze hanging on the pin (fulcrum). Apparently, the board (steel encased in fiberglass) had cracked, rusted, and fallen apart. The pennant that raises and lowers the board was intact, but not connected to anything except the bushing that was once embedded in the board.
If the boat is new to you, I would advise removing the board on your next haulout and examining it closely. Annoying job, but there is no other way to assess it. Getting a new one is expensive, and finding a good second hand one ain't easy either. I now plan to remove the board every four years for inspection and repair.
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Marty
1967 Tartan 27
Bowen Island, BC
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