- This topic has 3 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 2 months, 1 week ago by
Oliver Shaw.
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May 15, 2025 at 4:04 pm #50342
Daniel Whittemore
ParticipantHello,
I’d be grateful for advice on where to buy a replacement centerboard for a MKIII built in 1979?
Or is it a case of making one?
Any advice will be appreciated.
Daniel
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May 20, 2025 at 7:41 am #50395
Oliver Shaw
ModeratorMy understanding is that you require a Series 1 centreboard, and that this is the same board for all variants of the Series 1 boat (including all the plastic variants). If you still have the original board that would be a useful check for shape and dimensions; and it is well worth making that check if at all possible.
It would be worth keeping an eye open for a secondhand one; perhaps start by setting up a search on eBay.
If you want new, I rather suspect that it will be a case of making one, or commissioning a builder to make one for you. Expect it to cost a few hundred, unless you make it yourself, but that will be comparable with the cost of a new modern one off the shelf. First have a look at the prices for off-the-shelf Series 2 boards, to see whether the wallet (or the insurance policy) will stand it!
Absolutely avoid plywood, even though it may well be a cheaper option. That material is designed to be equally strong in both directions, but this comes at the cost of being less strong (than solid wood) for bending loads along the grain – and that is precisely the type of load to which a centreboard is subjected. There is no significant load across the grain, so there is much less need for strength in that direction. For many years now, every time I hear of a GP14 centreboard breaking I have asked “Was it a plywood one?” – and to date the score has been 100%!
Best practice, for timber construction, is to laminate it from strips of wood, all cut from a single length, and with alternate strips turned end for end to prevent warping. Biscuit joint the lamination if you wish (and have access to the specialised tool). You may wish to make it very slightly thinner than standard, and then sheath it in fibreglass and epoxy resin; that will provide long-term protection, and it will itself contribute some strength to offset the slight reduction in strength due to the thinner timber substrate. I don’t actually know how the ultimate strength of a slightly thinner sheathed board compares with that of a full thickness unsheathed one, but I would expect that there will be relatively little difference.
Manufacturers such as Winder Boats produce epoxy centreboards for the Series 2 boats, and Milanes produce top quality wooden ones; it might be worth asking them whether they can produce a series 1 one to special order. Or it would be worth trying builders such as Tim Harper or Duffin or SP Boats or Butler Boats or possibly Ginger Boats, to enquire whether they would make you one.
Hope this helps.
Oliver
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This reply was modified 2 months, 1 week ago by
Oliver Shaw.
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This reply was modified 2 months, 1 week ago by
Oliver Shaw.
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This reply was modified 2 months, 1 week ago by
Oliver Shaw.
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This reply was modified 2 months, 1 week ago by
Oliver Shaw.
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This reply was modified 2 months, 1 week ago by
Oliver Shaw.
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This reply was modified 2 months, 1 week ago by
Oliver Shaw.
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May 20, 2025 at 11:49 am #50403
Daniel Whittemore
ParticipantThank you Oliver, very helpful.
Cheers,
Daniel
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This reply was modified 2 months, 1 week ago by
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May 20, 2025 at 12:23 pm #50404
Oliver Shaw
ModeratorLet us know how you get on.
Good luck!
Oliver
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