Removing the centerboard bolt
I have just been there and finally got it out. I am assuming that you have removed all the nuts and washers and plates and rubber thingys from the centerboard trunk. I messed around quite a while before getting any where. It may help you to know what is inside (something that I didn't know until the board dropped. The hole in iron centerboard has a bushing in it. The threaded stainless shaft goes through this bushing. So - - the shaft spins freely, but the bushing and shaft are stuck together and need to be unstuck. I believe my "secret" was "KROIL" a really good penetrating oil for getting into impossible places. The magic steps are: Squirt the stuff in the holes from both sides. I aimed along the top of the shaft. I also relieved the weight on the centerboard by pounding a wedge of wood between the centerboard and the trailer roller. Then I threaded a nut back on each end of the shaft so that I could beat on the end of the nut and not damage the shaft. I just used my standard claw hammer and tap tap tapped on one side, and then on the other and then squirted oil and then tap tap tapped. I a short time noticed some movement. The first time it was only about an eighth of an inch - then more oil and more tapping. Pretty soon . . . Bingo! I used the tie the stern to something solid and slide the boat back method to free the board. It worked. I am now beating rust and deciding what to do next. If you've already got yours out, what are you doing with it / or plan to do with it? Hope you get yours going, Good Luck, Dale
