On Bobbing Daggerboards
Windmill daggerboards will float up in the well. All types of
solutions have been tried, perhaps the best solution, but not
fool-proof, is to glue outdoor carpet to the sides of the well. I
have strips of carpet about 2 inches wide on both sides of the well,
at both the top and bottom of the well. So visit your local carpet
dealer and get a few scraps of rubber backed outdoor carpet, the
thin variety. I would balance the boat on her side for the insertion
operation. First, be sure and test to see that the carpet will
allow the board to be inserted into the well without too much
friction. When all seems OK, coat the well and the rubber backing
with contact cement. Then, put a sheet of wax paper over the cement
on the carpet, slide the carpet in position and remove the wax
paper. The carpet will protect the finish of your board and provide
some degree of control on keeping it in place. For reasons that
escape me, the Class rules specify that that the lining may not
extend lower than 1 inch above the bottom of the daggerboard trunk
slot.
Step 2, run a loop of 3/8" shock cord through a hole in the top
of the board and pull it over the aft end of the DB well. This will
help keep it down and maybe even cocked forward. (Forward is
normally where you want it, the boat will handle better with the tip
of the board under the mast. Except in heavy air, when you want to
pull it up four-inches and let the tip go aft)