Swing keel / Kick up system
The centre board has been constructed in such a way that even the slightest touch of ground makes it kick up automatically via the release cleat on the cabin top. To remount the release cleat, just push down the clam cleat hard again. The automatic quick release cleat can be fine adjusted on the Allan-screw at the aft end – if it maybe releases too soon or too late. Up- and downhaul you can adjust from the cockpit cabin top. Just like you can trim a dinghy on the centreboard, you can also profitably do that on the Dragonfly. Generally, we always recommend placing the centreboard all the way down upwind. On a reach half way down and sailing downwind all up. Do remember though, lowering the centreboard before tacking again. Under sail pressure you cannot possibly adjust the centreboard – you will have to either luff into the wind or bear off to dead downwind to adjust the centreboard. Downwind you will seldom find adjusting problems. IMPORTANT The lifting centreboard line has a knot adjusted from the yard, which is the stop knot – preventing the board from coming too far down. This knot must not be moved and/or changed. If the centreboard comes too far down, the centreboard can break up the centreboard box and damage the boat seriously – and, the boat will get flooded. Of course, if you know that you are going to a beach, we must recommend releasing the centreboard downhaul line, because when hitting the ground in slow speed, the automatic cleat will not release as quickly, and this will put extra unnecessary strain onto this system.
RUDDER SYSTEM
The rudder also has a ”kick-up” system, so if it hits the ground, it will kick up.
IMPORTANT: Be sure that the rudder is always fully down in position; otherwise, it gets hard weather helm and is hard to steer.
Do regularly check the downhaul line for kinks or damage. If you see any sign of damage on the 6 mm line, this must be replaced immediately. The rudder is not designed to be used while sailing in no other position than fully down, otherwise the rudder system will bend and be loose or even break off. To pull up the rudder, release the downhaul line, lift the tiller a bit, and pull the lifting line on top of the tiller. Also, regularly check the bolt where the rudder is bolted to the rudder head (key No 19). Always make sure that the downhaul line is always ready to release with no kinks or knots on the line and that the line is always led into the aft locker. When beaching the Dragonfly, release the downhaul line both on the centerboard and rudder so it goes up easier and does less damage. The automatic quick-release cleat can be adjusted lighter and/or harder, if needed.
