SJ23 Tech Tip B32, (Issued 2015-07-16) Don Kilgore.

Index

Center Board Lift Cable.
Don Kilgore had a bit of a problem with the lift cable of his center board.  While lowering his board the cable came loose from the eye strap on the center board.  The bottom cable loop was partially cut through.  Quite perplexing since the board was replaced with a stainless steel version only five years previous and the lift system should have lasted longer.  What a pain to repair. 

So he hauled the boat out of the water at Port Townsend and discovered that the eye strap had split in two which explains why the cable let go.  When he replaced the eye strap he also discovered the two screws were slightly loose, but fortunately they hadn't come undone.  A new eye strap was installed using two new screws (Allen drive), secured with Loctite to prevent the screws from turning.  Oh yes, a fresh bottom coat looks nice too.

Blocked up on the hard so the center board can hang vertical for easy maintenance. 
The stands are chained together to support the hull from falling over.

An excellent view of the center board eye strap.
This board angle is quite close to the sailing angle with the factory cable.
 

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