Very tight Argo centreboard

   At a sail training centre, we removed the centreboard by removing the screws and pulling the cradle upwards. The centreboard had been hit hard - by another dinghy while capsized - and the cradle bent!
Colin

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ColPrice2002 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote ColPrice2002 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Very tight Argo centreboard Posted: 03 Jun 22 at 4:03pm
	At a sail training centre, we removed the centreboard by removing the screws and pulling the cradle upwards. The centreboard had been hit hard - by another dinghy while capsized - and the cradle bent! Colin

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jun 22 at 7:05am
	Topper's web site lists this part, which I believe are the brackets that go each side of the plate. https://toppersailboats.com/product/centreboard-bracket/ I'd definitely start by consulting Topper, but failing anything useful I think I would start by double checking for any foreign objects in the case. I would certainly ask for confirmation in how to remove the board, and whether there have been any issues like this before. Thereafter, well there are all sorts of scenarios that occur to me, some more expensive than others. A hard grounding, for instance might distort those plates and cause issues. Did you get the boat privately or from a company? If the latter then there's definitely a case for discussion! Edited by JimC - 03 Jun 22 at 7:07am

ColPrice2002 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote ColPrice2002 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jun 22 at 6:46am
	Hi, The Ago centreboard is held in place by a stainless steel bracket - as you suggested. Remove the screws, and with the boat on its side, extend the centreboard and pull the board upwards. IIRC, the Argo uses furry pads stuck to the inside of the case to act as a friction device. I’d suggest you make sure that these haven’t become dislodged and jamming normal operation. If the screws holding the strap won’t tighten, use drywall plugs! Colin

Chillidoggy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 02 Jun 22 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chillidoggy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jun 22 at 6:34pm
	I’ve only just bought the boat, it’s secondhand, so it’s my first experience afloat with it, which ended in a wasted launching as we couldn’t move the centreboard much. I haven’t had any in-depth look at it as yet.

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jun 22 at 3:39pm
	If there's no sign of a bolt through the case then I have seen (although I can't find one on line ) a setup where two plates as you describe are the outward sign of a pair of plates that go each side of the board and carry the pivot. However I'd start with Topper. An important question, of course, is whether its always been stiff or this is something new. You did, I presume, inspect carefully to see if a stone or something has got in there are is causing the problem. Edited by JimC - 03 Jun 22 at 6:43am

Chillidoggy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 02 Jun 22 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chillidoggy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jun 22 at 1:38pm
	My Topper Argo has a very tight centreboard, so much so that two of us are unable to pull it down into position. Laid the boat on its side, and looked under the boat. I could pull the board out by hand, but it was really tight, with a loud squealing noise as I pulled it into the down position, and the same stowing it. There are two stainless plates in the boat either side of the board which have three screws in that might be removable, but I can’t find any info online on how to deal with the problem or how to perhaps remove the centreboard so I can see what might be happening, or how the board is pivoted, and would appreciate any advice.