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hot to retrieve boat with broken board cable

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SCnewbie
Navigator

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166 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/21/2008 : 17:57:10

So I was trying to rotate my board up to make sure it would come up and with a good strong tug, i ended up pulling the cable up out of the tube. What can I do to get the boat back on the trailer at this point? My worry is an approaching hurricane and I can't load the boat.

S/V Cornbread
1995 C250WB #161
Charleston SC

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Stardog
Captain

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USA
319 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2008 : 08:08:41

I have two suggestions:

1- Find out if the fitting has torn out at the lower end. If not, you may be able to replace the cable or line while the boat is still in the water.

2- If you can't effect repairs in the water, bring the boat to a marina that has a crane and have your boat pulled and set on a trailer.

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2008 : 08:33:47

I don't think you tore the fitting out or you wouldn't have a C/B anymore. I would think if you could get into shallower water you could get under the boat push the centerboard up and use a cargo strap going from one stanchion to the other side of the boat to another stanchion to hold the board up. I would also consider making the rear trailer cross beams that don't have the bunk boards, cushioned with tape etc to allow the C/B board to slide forward easier when boat is loaded. Probably a crane if time allows is the best bet and change the cable in that manor or pay boat yard to do it.
JMTCW.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2008 : 09:03:32

Was the cable shackled to the board, or just looped through it? If the former, the shackle could be dangling and could jam in the trunk... Otherwise, on a smaller centerboarder, I passed a line over the bow, brought it back on both sides until it caught on the board, pulled aft and up to get the board partially up, and cleated it off. (You might be able to rig it so a winch can assist, or even use a beach to help push it up.) Then I was able to get the boat to the trailer, which pushed the board the rest of the way as it slid on.

If there's a shackle on the board, I'd get a lift.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/22/2008 09:04:17

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 07/22/2008 : 12:35:28

When I first put my boat in the water, I reversed the procedure for CB up. I thought I needed to let the CB line loose for it to come up (don't ask, LOL). Anyhoo, I found out (the wrong way) that you can put the boat on the trailer with the CB down. Depending on how deep your trailer is The CB will hit the trailer support beam and start sliding upwards. Deep trailer = good in this case since only the bottom part of the CB will touch the trailer. I had mine deep enough so you could see only about 2" of the 2 white guide posts. Probably a good idea to put padding on the trailer prior to doing this. You could duct tape beach towels for this. You can also help thing with the trailer winch but you shouldn't need it is the trailer is deep enough. The whole process is quite smooth. Just a note of warning is that once on the trailer you won't be able to back it up as the CB will get caught in the same Trailer aft support beam.

Once on the trailer you're going to have to raise the bow on it's roller about 12" so the CB can lower itself enough for you to have access to its attachment point. I did this with a hydraulic jack and 2X6" boards in front of the roller. Again put a beach towel between the 2X6 boards and the boat.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 07/22/2008 12:38:36

Stardog
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USA
319 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2008 : 13:40:46

If your boat is still in the water... you'll want to be very careful pulling it out onto a trailer. I helped a buddy once who had no option but to pull a boat out with broken centerboard cable. I'm guessing that centerboard weighed much less than yours and we were not able to get it up off the ground without pulling it up a boat ramp, then jacking it up for repair. The up-shot is that the centerboard was pretty badly damaged in the process and required fiberglass work, fairing and painting.

If you can get the boat to any kind of lift to have it pulled out and placed on a stand, you can repair it there, then trailer it. I'm guessing the cost of having the boat lifted is less than the cost of repairs you might incur from trying to get it on a trailer at a boat ramp.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.