Subject: [irwinsailboats] Centerboard

I Have to replace the cable that attaches to the aft side of the rod to the centerboard. I dont have a clue how to do this, any info will be appreciated.

Ray

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Ray,

If you've got an old Irwin (1960s to early '70s) then the set up is probably very similar to my 1971 I-32. When I replaced the cable, I paid the marina to hang the boat in the travel lift for a day, and I cut the cable inside the boat (with the board supported) so the rod would pull all the way through the stuffing box when I dropped the centerboard. Someone recently posted drawings of the centerboard arrangement for I-25s and I-28s. I've saved the attachments if you don't have them. The centerboard pivot pin is in the keel; in my boat, it's puttied over and I simply dig out the putty and then drive out the 1/2" pin.I don't know of any Irwin models with a heavy metal centerboard, but there could be some out there, so until you're sure, stay out of its way. With my boat, I was able to lower the centerboard and move it out of the way (it feels like 80 to 100 lb) The cable attached to the board by way of a stainless steel box shaped fitting embedded in the board. The fitting was a bit loose, so I epoxied it in place and put a layer of fiberglass cloth and epoxy over it (I ground the gel coat and epoxied the whole board as well). You'll need a nicopress tool (the kind where you tighten it with a wrench is fine) to install the cable. The pivot pin was stainless steel, but didn't look it, I had a new pin of 316 SS made up. I had to think for a minute about how I managed to get the rod back in place. I believe the sequence was"

1. attach the c'b' cable to the rod, and push the rod into the boat from the c'b slot.

2. attach the winch cable to the rod (I used a shackle, so I don't have to cut it the next time).

3. put the c'b in position and attach cable to it (not easy).

I did not do this in one weekend, so I had to pay for two separate times of hanging the boat in the slings to work on it.

BTW, if you need to replace any of those galvanized pulley blocks that the cable runs through, M&E Marine (www.memarine.com, 1-800-541-6501) in NJ carries them.

Have fun,

Steve

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