robert.steflik wrote...
|I just purchased a used Escape Rumba. The centerboard is split right
| down the middle. I called the Escape company and was told I could get a
| new one for $95, but it is on 2 week backorder.
|

Looks like they're eager to make a name for themselves with
customer support.


| How hard would it be to make a new one myself? Can I just buy a certain
| type of wood, cut out the shape, bevel the edges, put on some type of
| water-proof seal ??
|
| Or, I could glue the old one back together?
|

Walt's right, glue the old one back together with a good
epoxy (I happen to like WEST System too). And if you wrap a
layer of fiberglass around it, coated with epoxy, it will
become much stronger & abrasive resistant.


Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote:
Forget all about wood, epoxy and other high maintenance systems
that will warp, bend, crack and swell.

Get a piece of Starboard plastic and fashion your centerboard
from it. You will have a trouble-free centerboard.


Bad advice. What are the structural properties of Starboard?
It's both heavier & weaker than wood... a poor structural
compromise.


Walt wrote:
"It is the choice of thousands of boat owners for hatches, doors, rails,
handles, cup holders, fishing rod holders, counters, chairs, tables,
frames and other boat trim."

Let me know when somebody starts making foils out of it. I'm highly
skeptical that it would be even minimally adequate, even if it you could
get it in a sufficient thicknesses.


About the only plus to Starboard is that it doesn't rot.
They claim it does not degrade in UV but that's not a
problem with a daggerboard and the evidence to the contrary
(ie UV-damaged Starboard) is starting to get notice They say
it is "easily" workable with normal tools (ie woodworking
tools) but it dulls the heck out of them. There is no glue
or sealant that sticks to it. Why pay a premium for it, if
you want to use stuff like this just go donw to Home Depot
or Lowe's and get some of their plastic lumber at 1/10th the
price.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

PS- glad to see you hanging around here, Walt!