Centerboard replacement

[macula]

I need to replace the centerboard on a P21. Any ideas on how to lift the boat without a hoist? If anybody knows where I can get a cb that would be helpful as well.

[Noemi - Ensenada 20]

Go look on the main board.  Someone else has plans to do this, and there is a recent discussion on how various people got their boats up off the trailer.

[twstoerzinger]

Do you need a whole new board, or can yours be repaired?
When I bought my P-21, I didn't know about the damage to the leading edge of the CB until one day when I was under the trailer measuring up for new rollers. Actually, I don't think the previous owner was aware either. Anyways I ground the fiberglass in the damaged area down to bare steel, treated the steel with acid etch primer, and then built up the fiberglass again to the point where the board looked new. I spent about $100 on materials. If you don't have a board, then I guess you need to find one, but if yours is damaged, you might consider repairing it.

[twstoerzinger]

Your question was actually about how to lift the boat off the trailer. Here's how I did it with my P-21. I went to the local discount lumber store and bought about $100 worth of structural grade 2x6's. From these I built two heavy duty "sawhorses" and one heavy duty "goalpost."
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Since the hull extends well beyond the back of the trailer, I lowered the tongue jack as far as it would go and then placed the aft sawhorse with enough shims to fit closely to the curve of the hull. Then, I raised the tongue jack as far as it would go. This transferred the hull load to the aft sawhorse. I then placed the goalpost and sling.
You cannot view this attachment. The sling I used was actually a 6000 lb ratchet tie-down strap from Harbor Freight. At this point the trailer was manually pulled (carefully) from under the hull and the forward sawhorse and shims were installed. I also added a screw jack with a 2x4 shim under the lead weight at the front of the keel and transferred a fair amount of load to the jack.
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This arrangement allowed enough height to remove the CB. I also did some maintenance to the trailer bunks and rollers while the hull was off the trailer. I had to get in the boat several times during the CB removal. The whole thing felt stable, and I felt safe working under the hull. Remember that this hull weighs close to 2000 lbs (depending on how much stuff you have in the boat). You do not want it to fall on you.

[macula]

I like it. Not sure if the board can be repaired or not. I may be able to salvage the steel and rebuild it. Once I get if off I will find out. Thanks for the tutorial with pictures.

[macula]

I like it. I might be able to salvage the steel & do a rebuild. When I get the board off I will find out. Thanks for the tutorial with pictures.

[Quantico Frank]

Holy mackerel, Terry! BEAUTIFUL work! And let's hear it for big yards!