Dagger Board question

Does anyone here sail with the dagger boards only partially inserted? I am considering a nacra 5.2 I have only sailed Hobies without Dagger boards. Just wondering if at times I could sail with the boards partially down when water is shallow. To bad someone hasn't devised a self retracting daggerboard.

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2016 Hobie Getaway
1978 Nacra 5.2

On H18's we do this all the time when launching/landing from the beach, no big deal.
We also raise the daggers when running.

The Tiger and Wildcat and F18's also raise/lower, however their requirements are more stringent due to higher loads and thinner/longer boards.
The Wildcat has an amazing system to raise/lower the daggers, called an 'upf#*ker' which is basically a halyard for the daggers.

Raising and lowering should be done carefully, as the 'corners' of the dagger-board trunk are vulnerable....don't ask how I know.

Go to the Club and buy some beers for the F18 crowd, they'll be happy to tell you all their dagger stories.

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2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

I have pivoting daggerboards on my Hobie 18 (like on the Hobie Pearl). No problem at all.

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information is not knowledge
Hobie 18 Formula, Hobie DuraGlide 10'10

Pivioting daggerboards? How did u retrofit them?

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2016 Hobie Getaway
1978 Nacra 5.2

Hobie has (had) several models of catamarans with self-retracting dagger boards (actually centerboards). The Hobie 17 and 21 as well as several other models only offered in Europe.

Note, the difference between a dagger board and a centerboard is a dagger board slides up and down in the trunk whereas a centerboard pivots backwards which allows it to kick up if it hits an obstruction.

There are also plenty of other manufactures that make catamarans with centerboards (Mystere 6.0, Tornado, Prindle 18-2 & 19 are a couple that come to mind).

You can certainly sail with dagger boards partially retracted, but if you sail in consistently shallow water, I wouldn't recommend this because the dagger board sticking out of the top of the deck will be a constant nuisance. Also, if the dagger board slips down in the trunk, it will hit bottom and you will damage the board or the boat. If you plan to sail in consistently shallow water, then a boat with centerboards, skegs, or asymmetrical hulls is a better option. But also consider that if the water is too shallow, you will end up kicking up your rudders which can be just as big if not a bigger problem.

sm

Well, I guess I better become proficient with Daggerboards because I just Purchased the Nacra 5.2. Yay!!!!

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2016 Hobie Getaway
1978 Nacra 5.2