Thread: replacing a TS16 centreboard with bilgeboards

Originally Posted by b.o.a.t.

I've got this TS16 which I am wanting to turn into (my) ideal cruising boat.
One of the things I'm toying with is replacing the large and intrusive steel
centreboard with a couple of swinging bilge boards, set up something like
B&B's Bellhaven 19' or Selway Fisher's Lynx 16.

The new cases would sit along the second stringer, not too far from
centreline so as to be hopelessly out of parallel water flow, but wide enough
to take the ground flat. This would give unobstructed foot / portapotti /
standing-up room midships.

They would butt to frame 3 at the forward end, and past frame 4 at rear,
tying to cabin wall, bunk tops & cockpit floor. Coupled with suitable logs &
reinstating the hole at the back of the cabin where the centrecase exits,
I think they would be well enough supported.

They would protrude maybe 4" below the bottom, level with the keel.
The pivot bolt would move into this protrusion - external to the cabin -
eliminating a common leak/weep point.

The total wet area of the two boards would be about 10% greater than the
existing centreboard, and move CLR in fully down position about 8" forward.
This would be offset by the ability to independently vary the board angles,
plus the likely moving the sail COE forward by changing the rig to cat ketch.

I would expect some slight loss of performance, but I'm not racing so not
worried.

Question - what (if anything) am I missing?
Why would this not be a good idea?

cheers
Alan J

Re,twin bilgekeels on a ts16.Its been done there's at least one in newzealand