Having noticed that the centreboard on my Merlin Rocket (Nice Legs 3330) has a slight split near the base, I was wondering if anyone could tell me where would be a good place to either buy a replacement or have one made(if it comes to it)? I would much appreciate any advice.

Winders,Lynton Jenkins,Kevin Driver,Phil Milanes,John Claridge,Alan Jackson,Laurie Smart. 
Go to opening page on this site & nav to 'where to get etc.

I shoud say'How to buy'

Why not open the spilt up a little with a fine saw and run some epoxy in?? Cost a few quid and you'll be sailing in a few hours.

Is this a split or a crack?  In other words is it an area which takes a lot of strain (crack) or just a split.  I would try the epoxy idea.  If you heat the wood and the epoxy you will find that it will run into the crack especially as the wood cools it seems to suck the epoxy into the gap. I have been told that the superglue epoxies also work really well on hairline cracks on classic boat wooden hulls and being so runny they get right into the cracks - might well be worth a try.  It would be a lot cheaper than a new centreboard.  The one plus that you have is that each side of the crack should be virgin timber so it should penetrate into the wood surfaces which is the key to a good epoxy bond.

Cracks verses splits!
To define this if the 'fracture' is running paralel to the grain ie down the length of the board, then it's a split! which is almost certainally epoxy repairable. If however it's across the board (leading edge to trailing edge) it's a 'crack' and is far more of a problem. If your not sure take it to a local boat foil/Merlin builder for there advice.

Thanks very much for all your advice. I'm not really sure how bad it is, as I only noticed the crack (across the board near the base) the other day when I capsized for the first time. I guess I will have to take the centreboard out and get it checked out.

Martin,

My top tip for when you put it back in, stick a few lengths of masking tape along the length on either side so you don't scratch the s**t out of it when you stick it back.

I am assuming that if it lives rather than dies then you will give it a rub down and resurface while its out - highly recommended if its dagged up (Excuse the Herefordian term)

Across the board near the base - ie parallel to the hull and quite near it when you are looking at the board in a capsize - sounds like very bad news indeed. Its an extremely odd sensation when the board snaps off under the boat on a fast reach, but quite unmistakeable...

Yes, you hit your chin on the stub left in the case just before you suck water!

I "repaired" the crack you mention (about 1999/2000) when I owned the boat. How long the crack had existed before then is anybodies guess, I repaired as per suggestions made by Gary & Dave, I only found the crack when I removed board prior to repainting the outside of the hull.
Is the "new" crack actually there, or can you just see my previous repair ??
For your info, the outside of the hull (mid blue ?) is 2 pack paint, the inside of the hull, decks & transom were epoxy coated & then 2 pack varnished during my ownership.
I owned the boat from about 1995 until 2003, great sailing especially in strong winds.
PS she isnt a dog in light winds, just a previous owner rigged her up with about 12" minimum mast rake!!  I altered this to about 2" & calm wind performance improved somewhat.