Has anyone removed a swing keel for maintenance

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Hise Chapman

I'm very interested in purchasing an O'day 20. I'm trying to think of all the gottchas that could come along with trying to strike a deal on a boat 800 miles away! I don't even know the condition of the swing keel; but, assuming it needed work... With the centerboard swinging up inside the shoal keel, how is the pivot bolt accessed? Is it easy to access? If it had to be removed, sanded, and painted, how heavy is it? Any suggestions on how to remove the centerboard? Thanks, --Hise
 
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Mike Basham

I just worked on the CB on my 23'

On mine, the bolt thru the front of the CB is easily accessible on the side of the stub keel. It just takes a big/large diameter socket or wrench to get it off. The CB is rather heavy and cumbersome. If the boat were properly supported in a cradle, however, (mine wasn't!) it won't be too hard to work on. I also had a problem with the cable to the CB being just long enough to drop the whole board just below the keel, and being connected via the crimpled on things that I didn't want to undo. So I never completely removed the CB from the boat; I just got it down below the bottom of the keel, which required about 14 inches of clearance to anything below the keel. Also, there's not much space between the CB and the inside of the trunk, so be careful about building up too much paint on any of those surfaces. Hope this helps!
 
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Hise Chapman

Ohhh, Its fiberglass!

I pictured a weighted, metal centerboard that could rust (the rust was my concern). It sounds like I just need to keep an eye on it for blisters (which shouldn't be a problems since it stays on a trailer). Am I on the right track? Thanks, --Hise
 
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Mike Whalen

wrong side up?

Hise, If you keep an eye on the centerboard wouldn't that mean that either you are really hiking out too far or that the boat is wrong side up? Are you sailing in any of those beautiful emerald green lakes on the eastern edge of the Smokies? Later, Mike
 
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Hise Chapman

RE: wrong side up?

I'm never good at "reading" someone's tone of voice in a written message.... I hope you were joking. I was asking about the swing keel for maintenance purposes and what to watch out for... I've sent in some earnest money on an O'day 20 and hope to be an official O'day Owner soon! About sailing locations... I don't know that I'll be hitting the lakes in the mountains - I'll probably frequent Kerr, and Jordan the most, with a trip or 2 down to the coast. I look forward to staying in touch with everyone here. Thanks, --Hise
 
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Mike Whalen

tounge in cheek

I gotta learn to use those :) things for those who dont know me. Later, Mike
 
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Mark

Center board bracket

The CB pivot on mine is on L-shaped brackets that is held by screws from below. Remove the screws and the front of the CB drops out the keel pocket so put some supports under it.
 
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Bill Yale

I've done it on my 20"

I had to pull mine to replace it after a friend broke my cb launching it. It was easy to do, the trickiest part was to raise the boat off of the trailer to access it easily. I can be reached at Cwyalie@Oakweb.com if you need more info. Bill Yale
 
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