Replacing the centreboard lifting wire rope

Accepted wisdom for the N25 seems to be to replace the winch wire used to raise the centreboard every two years. This is regardless of its apparent condition as appearances can be deceiving. Since mine had not been replaced for at least 12 years it must be about time. This is how I did it. The boat was on its trailer and it is not to difficult to do.

  • Lower the centreboard onto the trailer rollers.
  • Unscrew the inspection port on the side of the centreboard housing and observe the ends of two large pins, the aft one secures the winch wire rope, the forward one the safety rope strop. The ends may be covered with paint.

  • Remove the winch handle and cover.
  • Unbolt the winch; you will need a half-inch socket and extension to undo the two mounting bolts.
  • Remove the winch, unwinding the wire from the winch drum as you go.
  • Scrape the paint from the end of the aft pin securing the thimble terminated wire from the winch drum.
  • Remove the small retaining screw and withdraw the pin. (My pin was mightily stuck. I applied plenty of WD40 and nautical curses, grabbed it with a pair of locking pliers and finally twisted it out.)
  • Remove the winch and wire to a work area and remove the old wire from the winch drum.
  • Go to Whitworths or equivalent taking the winch and pin with you. Procure two metres of stainless steel wire rope. I used 7×19 4.8mm (3/16″) breaking strain 1589kg.
  • Get the shop person to swage a suitably sized thimble on one end. Thread the other end of the rope wire through the hole in the drum and just put a swage on it to fix the wire through the winch drum. Total cost was $9.50.
  • Wind it up neatly on the drum except for about 100mm and secure with a piece of string.
  • Feed the end of the new wire with the thimble down into the aft hole of the centreboard and attach it to the centreboard by means of the pin.
  • Wind up the slack and remount the winch.
  • Finish up and enjoy a little bit more peace of mind

Some folks use spectra instead of steel wire rope. I cannot contribute to this idea as I have had no occasion to use it. If you use spectra, please share your experiences.
Gil