Centerboard operation

[dennisfdunn]

I don't own a Pearson, but I've sailed them and love the boats. I'm interested in how the centerboard is raised and lowered on the 35. I see from previous posts that the centerboard has a pivot pin? How is it serviced. From photos I've seen, I assume the CB trunk is sealed and below the cabin sole. How is the pendant connected so that it doesn't leak? How is it serviced? How is the necessary purchase achieved and were does it terminate?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm considering building a CB boat and would like to know how the professionals do it. Thanks.

-Denny

[Peter O]

The center board penant runs in a sealed tube . The tube is above the water line where it exits to the winch so no seal required.

The pivot pin is in the bilge where it can be withdrawn from inside the boat. Hopefully you'd do it out of the water or can replace the cap real quick if in the water. The board is pivoted at it's forward end

The winch is two drums of different diameters side by side. The differential size of the drums gives mechanical advantage to make it possible to raise the board without a winch. The larger drum is the rope hoisting penant, the smaller one is the board penant. The board is relatively light but still takes a bit of strength to raise it.