Belhaven centerboard weight

[zumwaltd]

I am ready to pour the lead tip for my centerboard on Belhaven #55 and am wanting thoughts others have on how heavy I should make the tip. The design calls for 60lbs but as I read builder comments there seems to be some thought to make it less. if you we're building a Belhaven now, how much weight would you use?

Dave Z

[maligno]

The wood part of my centerboard weighs 19 lb.  Instead of cutting off the bottom end, I intend to make a hole to pour the lead in. This should be easier than to mold, attach and fair a lead tip. By my computation given the dimensions of the hole I should get close to 60 lb. 

 

But I'm holding off the pour in the meantime while I work on other stuff.

[zumwaltd]

Rolando, are you worried about  being able to easily raise and lower the board?

 

Dave Z

[maligno]

Dave, 

 

With the 5-part block system as designed, I don't think raising the CB with 60 lb ballast will be a problem. What I'm trying to do is to eliminate the linkages of the blocks (the loops/shackles and padeyes) by attaching the sheaves directly to the end of the box and the top corner of the CB. If this is successful, I'll post pictures.

[maligno]

Something like this:

 

 

[maligno]

Kingpost double block; I'm planning to bolt it through the BC box:

 

 

[Lynn Watson]

And just saved about 80% of the price of a Ronstan block.

 

Is it going to be permanently enclosed in the case once the side goes on?

 

Lynn

[maligno]

With Dave's permission, Lyn:

That's one beneficial side-effect indeed.

 

Well, not permanently because all the parts must be easily serviceable when the case is closed. Two 3mm bolts hold it against the kingpost and the sheave pin is a 5mm bolt that goes through the sides of CB case. 

[zumwaltd]

It looks like one of the advantages of your design is that you can use a thicker rope than what the plans call for to pull on to raise the centerboard.  This should be easier on your hands.

 

Nice

 

Dave Z