Replacing a centerboard bolt

[dennyjlane]

I have a 50 yr old Flying Tern (14' Dutch sloop) and need to replace the centerboard bolt. The board slides down into the centerboard trunk and pivots on the bolt. The bolt is about 3" long and passes through the trunk. It had some type of waterproof washer on either side. The bolt is below water level.

Is it as simple a sliding in a stainless steel bolt with rubber washers on each end or does it need a fancier solution? Recommendations?

 

[Brian S]

That sounds about right. Usually the washers on the sides of the CB trunk are neoprene, which is I guess synthetic rubber, so...

When you get the board out, take a close look at the pivot hole. If it's been weemied out at all, you might consider drilling it out oversize, filling with thickened epoxy, and redrilling the proper size hole. This creates an epoxy "bushing" and will clean up any out of round slop.

Brian

 

[dennyjlane]

Even after all this time the "U" shape of the channel on the board continues to have about the original radius. Good idea on the epoxy "bushing" that I will keep in mind. Thanks for the post.

 

[Brian S]

Oh, I see. The board has a bit of slot that sits on the pivot. My GP14 has a bolt that goes straight through the trunk sides and the CB. I have good fun lining all three of those holes up...

Brian

 

[PaulK]

You may want to find a carriage bolt, with a smooth shank where the cb will pivot, rather than a bolt with threads up the entire length. Threads might cause additional wear on the cb pivot hole (or the bushing you're planning on making...) and lead to it jamming at some point later on.

 

[dennyjlane]

You may want to find a carriage bolt, with a smooth shank where the cb will pivot, rather than a bolt with threads up the entire length. Threads might cause additional wear on the cb pivot hole (or the bushing you're planning on making...) and lead to it jamming at some point later on.

Thanks for the suggestion Paul