Steve,
Glad you had a successful c/b operation. The pivot pin on my c/b board ( 1982
model ) is flush and glassed over. I think there a description on how to remove a M15
board in the archives.
Regards,
Randy Watkins
M15#194
<<< [EMAIL PROTECTED] 4/ 6 8:11a >>>
Thanks to everyone who replied with suggestions or sympathy about my centerboard
problem. The prize for most creative solution definitely goes to Dale -- Dale, it
sounds like you really earned it! I almost split my sides trying to visualize three
fat farmboys hanging off of a trailer, pinned to the bottom of a boat being suspended
in the air by tractors.
Well anyway, I have an update: I went back to the boat again, and instead of curses,
tried sweet-talking it (along with a little gentle prying on the far aft edge/tip of
the centerboard. It came out an inch or two at first, then all they way. Down also
came a quantity of substance that appeared to be composted leaves and bugs (or some
such brown awful looking crap).
Now, I can raise and lower the board all day, within an inch of full retracted
position, but if I retract it that LAST INCH (which I would need to do to put it on
the trailer) it gets stuck, won't come down without prying again.
I'd like to really clean out the centerboard slot, which would probably be best done
without the board there, So I'm thinking of just removing it.
On my M15, there is just what appears to be a standard galvanized or stainless, maybe
1/2 inch carriage bolt through the keel which the board pivots on. On the port side,
there is just the bolt-end sticking out, with a nut on it.
I'm wondering -- is that what most people have for a pivot pin? Or was mine replaced
at one time, perhaps persuant to some damage? Seems to me I remember someone
mentioning once that their pivot pin was epoxied in, and completely flush with the
keel on both sides. Just wondering how most people's is.
I'm just planning to remove the pin and drop the board out (gently of course, with due
regard for it's weight). I'm not expecting any surprises. Should I? For you all who
have done this, am I forgetting something?
I have to say -- the talk recently about casting a bronze centerboard (this was for
the M17 I believe) sounds pretty attractive. If it's true that older M15 boards have
a tendency to swell up and become non functional, I would think there might be a
market for a bronze replacement. I know I'd consider it. It would be quite an
upgrade, adding even more weight where it really counts, impervious to water, and
foil-shaped better than what you'd get with plate steel, say.
It's a beautiful sunny day, with highs in the low 40s in Chicago today, blowing 10
knots from SSE -- Lake Michigan water temperature around 36 degrees. Sailing season
is right around the corner!
--
Steve McClellan
M15 #152
Evanston, Illinois
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