Removing swing keel

[Doug]

Do to an accident, while launching my boat from the trailer, and without getting into a lot of details, the keel has come out of the housing, sort of hyperflexed, and cannot be raised. It is still attached by the pin and it is still very sailable but, I would like to fix this while the water is still warm. I am wanting to drop the keel. My question is how to remove the pin? Is this possible from the inside by removing the housing?Thanks,Doug

 

[Steve Gully]

I do not think so

I seem to remember someone posting a picture of the pin showing the bracket on each side holding it in place. I think you have to get at everything from the bottom. I checked the archives and found one post. I searched for 'pin centerboard replace' not in quotes.This is what I found.I repaired mine by the following method. The "pin" is 1/2 inch in diameter. I purchased a stainless steel bolt of the appropriate diameter. I sawed off the threads and head of the bolt to the correct length which you can determine after you have removed the board. As to the "bushing" I waxed my new "pin," placed it in the worn out hole (making sure it was centered and at right angle to the board) and then poured West System expoxy (used with correct filler) around the "pin." After it cured it was a simple matter to remove the "pin," and clean up any excess epoxy. I then had a "bushing" which was the excat size of my new "pin." Be sure to re-bed the bolts used to hold the bracket in place when you put it all back together. I did this two years ago, and have not had a "wobble" since.

 

[Chuck]

Boat MUST come out.

Boat has to be on the hard. Remove both bronze brackets under the hull, (nuts are under the sole plates) Centerboard may need to have repairs (sounds like it). Carefully rebed the brackets and bolts (I replaced mine) and enjoy. This is a good time to inspect your boards lift cables and pulleys as well.Board weighs about 50 lbs.

 

[John]

removing board

To remove swing keel:In the water, would be difficult but not impossable if you could plug the four holesleft after removing the bolts.Putting the boat on the trailer willallow you "maybe" to replace the pin if thatis your problem. But to get the board out of the trunk for repair you have to lift the boat off the trailer to have clearnace for removal. The hole in the keel for the pin is a nylon plug in a block of nylon and can pounded out and replaced. It is about 1 1/4" in dia. I replaced mine with a custom made brass plug epoxyed in the nylon block. The forever fix! The nylon plug was made to be replaced, and mine was almost out the the edge of the plug. Good luck.