Thread: Bolger Bobcat Centerboard Sticking

Lets assume the board is built to the plans and is weighted properly. The most obvious causes are the weight has fallen out (unlikely) or the board (or case) is swelling from moisture ingress, causing it to stick. The usual culpret is the board gets a ding or nick, which lets in moisture, then the board swells locally, enough to cause the board to stick.

It's also possible something has shifted, making the board stick. This would be the pin or related pieces.

Ultimately, you're going to have to remove the board and have a look at what's going on. It's not going to get better and likely will get worse. You don't want to have to deal with a stuck board situation, so I'd recommend you get after this right away.

If the problem is water causing the centerboard to swell, How do I go about removing the CB from the Bolger Bobcat. Tom Bolko

This is what your centerboard looks like if built to the plans. It's a fairly typical "slice 'o pie" style with lots of leverage. This one is shown from starboard and the pivot pin hole is in the forward lower corner.



This is what the centerboard case looks like with the decking removed. So, you can see, you'll have to do some "exploring" to expose the lower forward corner of the centerboard case.


I don't have details of the pivot itself, but generally it'll have a plate over it, usually of wood, which needs to be removed to expose the pin. The pin may just be a length of bolt.

The way I would do it is to drive out the pin, then using the weight of the boat against itself, I lift the board out of the case. A tackle from an overhead tree branch might suffice. If it's really stuck good, you may have to drive it out through the slot below the hull. Place the boat on saw horses, leaving the slot clear of course and hammer the board out from above.

After 22 years, it's possible the case may need to be rebuilt and/or the centerboard too.

Tbolko

Here's a pic from the plan for the Bobcat.

If the board is built to plan, simply tilit the boat up on it's side, fully extend the board and "unhook" the board from the pin thru the bottom of the boat.
You will have to remove anything that is attached to the top of the board that is wider than the opening.

That's how I built mine and how I remove the board when required.

PS The pics that PAR has shown above are from my Bobcat build in 2007.

Cheers
Dave

Thanks for the start to help me find the solution. I appreciate your knowledge and good sense . Tbolko