Phil,
I also have a 1977 model, hull 265 (I think). I had the same problem
except my board was stuck in the up position. First let me caution
you! If the pendant should break, the board dropping could cause some
damage, it is one heavy sucker, so be very careful.
Obviously the boat will have to out of the water (unless you have scuba
gear) and off the trailer so the keel can swing free. The bottom of
the fixed keel will have to be about 24-28 inches above the ground. I
built 2 big horses to support the boat while I did the work. A farmer
friend helped me lift the boat (a front end loader and slings) , slide
the trailer away and set her back on the horses. Once she was on the
horses and cradled good, I worked the centerboard loose with a prybar
while supporting the board with blocking (never work under the c-board
without blocking, if it fell it could kill you). With help from my
friend, I was able to drop the board a few inches at a time until it
came down to where the hook on the c-board catches the pin at the aft
end of the trunk. The pin (in my boat) is a 1/4" bolt which came out
pretty easy but again, you must keep the c-board blocked to keep it
from falling when the pin is removed. Once the pin was out the board
came down all the way, exposing the connection. I my case, I found
that the shackle had corroded and that the pendant was not even
connected (the only thing holding the c-board was barnicles in the
trunk ( a close call for sure). I had an additional problem in that
the shackle connecting the hole in the c-board to the pendant was both
to wide and too long as it caught in the trunk and hit the top before
the c-board was full retracted. I would recommend you check both
aspects. On my first try, I bought a new lanyard of 3/8" braid (with
an eye) but found that it jammed in the trunk hole when the fat part of
the eye splice tried to come thru. I ended up with 1/4" braid.
Unfortunately I did not take any pictures of the whole process (wish
I had) but am happy to share my experience. Kind regards and good
luck, Arnold Sharpe, M-17,"LITTLE BREEZE"
On Oct 10, 2007, at 6:47 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I have just purchased a 1977 Montgomery 17...boat number 250. The
centerboard is lowered out of the shoal keel by a rope which protrudes
up through the cockpit sole just in front of and outside of the
companion way hatch and coils around a vertically mounted sheet winch.
The rope is badly frayed just at the point where it exits the cockpit
sole when the board is in the fully raised position. Has anyone had
any experience replacing such a rope. I want to know what I can expect
when I have the boat lifted. After lifting the boat and lowering the
board, I understand there is a pin at the rear of the board which must
be hammered out in order for the board to drop clear of the keel
enough to unfasten the rope from the pennant attached to the board.
Any information as to the exact procedure and what to expect will be
greatly appreciated.
Phil Barilla
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