Good tip Roger,
Dave Fagen gave me a great time saving tip on fitting centerboards and
rudders.
Spartite (a product intended to be used where masts penetrate the cabin on
big boats) is used in place of felt or carpet for the gasket. Simply rough
cut your insert blocks about 1/8" too big around the blade. After coating
with
epoxy to seal the wood, pour in the liquid Spartite (after inserting your
blade) and allow to cure for about an hour. You'll have the perfect hard
rubber gasket that will not point load your blade.
Be sure to do only one block at a time or you could end up with a
permanently down centerboard (you'll need a special trailer to transport your
boat).
Included in the kit is everything you need to do about 50 Swift Solos so
perhaps we need to share (it is expensive). The instruction tell you to use
it
all once you open the can but Dave tells me that the 49er guys still use it
for
a year after it has first been opened without problems. Also, I think it
may be a good idea to apply paste wax to the blade before covering it with the
included Vaseline to help as a parting agent.
Anyone who have spent endless hours fitting these blocks and the rudder
cassette will find this very fast and easy.
Best regards,
Bram
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