Any tips on changing keel line on 23.5

[sailingwithjones]

just got boat the upper part of the rope is not looking good at all.
got boat without trailer motored home, may be an issue getting boat out of water

 

[Dennis Kitchen]

Hello SA,
There has been some activivity recently on this subject. Scroll down and see the threads titled "Raising keel on a 240", "Swing keel" and "Centerboard up-haul".
That said;
1) lift boat with slings. It can then be set on jacks or other cribbing but it must be stable as someone will have to get into and out of boat while raised.
2) attach a small messenger line to the upper end of the up-haul line
3) remove single bolt at bottom and rear of compression post; when bolt is unscrewed about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch stand on the head to force break in seal. Have something or someone below to catch center board. Caution! It's heavy! About60-70 lbs.
4) As bracket slides down out of the truck, note which holes have the centerboard pin and roller pin as some brackets have multiple sets.
5) Replace line. Attach messenger line to new up haul and pull it back through tubing and cabin top.
6) re-seal with a good marine sealant on top of bracket and around bolt hole. Scrape out old sealant first of course. DO NOT use 3M 5200 for this.
7) with bracket on centerboard and pins, line and roller in correct position; slide assembly back up into trunk and have someone start the bolt back into the bracket. Torque sufficiently and let cure. Re-rig up haul tackle.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Hello SA,
There has been some activivity recently on this subject. Scroll down and see the threads titled "Raising keel on a 240", "Swing keel" and "Centerboard up-haul".
That said;
1) lift boat with slings. It can then be set on jacks or other cribbing but it must be stable as someone will have to get into and out of boat while raised.
2) attach a small messenger line to the upper end of the up-haul line
3) remove single bolt at bottom and rear of compression post; when bolt is unscrewed about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch stand on the head to force break in seal. Have something or someone below to catch center board. Caution! It's heavy! About60-70 lbs.
4) As bracket slides down out of the truck, note which holes have the centerboard pin and roller pin as some brackets have multiple sets.
5) Replace line. Attach messenger line to new up haul and pull it back through tubing and cabin top.
6) re-seal with a good marine sealant on top of bracket and around bolt hole. Scrape out old sealant first of course. DO NOT use 3M 5200 for this.
7) with bracket on centerboard and pins, line and roller in correct position; slide assembly back up into trunk and have someone start the bolt back into the bracket. Torque sufficiently and let cure. Re-rig up haul tackle.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

The line referred to is the centerboard line which requires appx. 20 feet of 7/16 inch line, not 1/2 nor 3/8 and it must be yacht braid. When the boat is lifted, there should be some marks on the side for lifting points. Two things. You will need to let the water ballast open so the added weight or water can exit. In addition, tie each side of the slings together so they cannot slip off from the hull. Attach messenger line. The bolt referenced is under a cover plate that is silicone in or screwed in or both. It takes a 1 1/8 socket to remove the bolt head. The centerboard weighs appx 110 lbs. so have another individual to help you. You will find that wiggling the center board will help ease the bracket out. There are two pins so note which hole they are in. After replacing the line, attach the messenger line to pull thru. As for the pins to stay in place, use a little duck tape. When putting in, make sure there is bead of either silicon or 5200 around the hole but back from the edge to prevent water penetration into the boat where the bolt goes thru. Put some grease on the threads but not much and this is a must that you hand tighten the bolt to get it started. Also if there is any resistance in putting the bolt on, stop and see what is going on as you do not want to cross thread. when installed put a little bead and not much of 5200 around the bolt to help prevent water penetration. Any questions, send me an email. I bought over 40 of these boats the first model year and sold them so I know tthis boat.