That my centerboard would not drop without the use of a push stick has been an irritation since my PocketShip was launched in 2016, so following this thread where a discrepancy was discovered between the stated and actual weight of the lead shown on the drawings I bit the bullet (pun) and added another 7lbs of lead to the centerboard. The result is that the centerboard now drops without assistance...we’ll almost. If I release the centerboard while close hauled the CB behaves as before, that is it drops about 2/3 of the way and then gently stops, however, on any other point of sail it drops cleanly. I can live with that.
To access the centerboard I purchased some very expensive (but worth it) jacks that allow the trailer to be removed when the boat is jacked up.
To my surprise the unmodified CB dropped fully without hesitation when on the jacks.
Once the CB was removed I measured CB trunk opening and found it to be 1” at both ends but just 3/4” at the center. I suspected I made this error when I placed weights on the CB trunk while allowing the resin to cure during construction.
I assume that once in the water the upward pressure on the hull bottom pushes it upwards which slightly closes the trunk opening.
While this issue still exists the additional lead provides the CB with sufficient mass to pass through this restriction.
Some photos:
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