CenterBoard Removal

[Larry Merz]

My centerboard needs some work and I need to remove it from the boat(1984 222).Does anyone know how to do this? How specically is the CB attached to the keel and what tools/techniques are needed to remove the CB...Thanks

 

[MArk]

I don't know...

if the 222 is like my 76 O'Day 20 but it's worth a look. My 20 has the centerboard under the cabin, inside the keel. The centerboard is attached to the bottom (outside) of the keel by 2 "L" shaped brackets that hold the centerboard pivot. The bottom, horizontal parts of the "L" brackets are screwed into the bottom of the keel on each side of the centerboard pocket with approximately 2" long stainless steel philips-head recessed screws. When I remove these screws (6 on my boat) the centerboard drops out of the slot.

 

[David]

I will be removing the centerboard on my 1980 O 23. When I was under it last, it looked a lot like what Mark described. I plan on unscrewing the L brackets. I understand (according to Rudy) that there are wedges that support the pivot these will also drop down. I will be repairing the leading edge of the CB. The previous owner must have kept it down while in shallow water. Good Luck!David

 

[Mama Bruff]

Just did this on our '84 222 yesterday

Larry, Both previous posts are right. There are some brackets underneath the keel on the flat edge, at the forward end. My boat has 2 big phillips head bolts in each of the two metal brackets,with a small screw (on each bracket) which attaches the brackets to a spacer of sorts. This all comes out when you remove the brackets. The pivot is a removeable nylon plug of a thing. Be advised, this keel is HEAVY. It worked nicely with 2 people to remove it. If you're going to paint it, as we did, you may hang it from its pivot hole, or just lay it flat on some sawhorses. It is roughly the size of your rudder.  It is also a good time to inspect your cable that raises the CB up. We (my husband and I)are replacing ours, as it was quite frayed, and the outer layer of the rope was loose, jamming things so you couldn't get the CB up. This cable is a specialty part. It has (3/8" I think) rope braided into (1/8")wire cable, with a sort of shackle on the end which attaches to your CB. We sent our old one in to West Marine for duplication, and it looks just like the old one. All they had to do was replace the rope/cable braid with new, and the old shackle went right back on. At $61 including tax and shipping, it's not a cheap fix. I figure 18 years of constant wear and tear isn't bad mileage. It should last another 18. All this started with buying a "ready to sail" boat. The more work we do, the more work we find to do...At least the bottom's about done now...hehe...good luck!!