Sanity Check-H26 Centerboard Bracket Saga

[BrianW]

Hi All:

I've been fussin' with a H26 project for over a year. My problem: The centerboard bracket bolt or the nut is damaged and will not loosen, the bolt just free-spins. My conclusion:
1) The nut welded to the CB bracket broke loose.
2) CB bolt threads are corroded away at the nut and the bolt threads won't engage in the nut.

My plan of action is to grind/cut away the CB bolt head. The headless bolt SHOULD allow the CB bracket (with CB) drop as though the bolt were removed. This will likely happen if the original problem is the nut became un-welded. If the problem is actually a corroded away bolt thread instead of an un-welded nut.... will the CB bracket and CB still drop when the bolt head is removed? I just want a sanity check before I finally do it! Thanks all! BrianW

 

[Mulf]

I don't know your boat but...

I don't know your boat but have owned a few centerboard boats. I would think that only removing the head is not going to do any good. You need to remove the other (nut) end too or there will not be enough room in the centerboard trunk for the bolt to allow the board to drop. If you can get to both ends of the bolt, cut the one end off and drive the bolt out the other side. If you are in the water you might want to wrap lines around the boat under the board slot so it doesn't just drop to the bottom. If on land support it so there's no weight on the boat and also so you control the board's drop. Good luck.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Brian;

That bolt is what is holding up the centerboard bracket and centerboard. Secure the bolt and drill it out or grind. It will then come out altogether. You can buy replacement bolts and nuts from an outfit called Fastenal. Make sure you take the center board itself and wiggle it sideways and pulling down to get that bracket to loosen up coming out. Also, make sure you have a messenger line attached to the cascade line or line to lower and raise the centerboard and if replacing, 7/16, not 1/2

The admiral has spoken.

crazy dave

 

[MABell]

Come on Brian, just get 'r done.

 

[BrianW]

MABell, you're right, I've fartin' around with this project MUCH too long. BrianW

 

[MABell]

Good luck man.

 

[MABell]

Well Brian. You've had two weekends now

 

[Rick Webb]

We Have All Been Wondering

Soon it will be too hot to sail.

 

[BrianW]

Rick and MAbell, I posted this today as a followup on a"H-26 on Stands" post:
After trying unsuccessfully to grind and later using a Dremel tool to remove the bolt head, I decided to drill off the bolt head. The main obstacle was the head is recessed in a "well" and it was difficult to access at the proper angles for my grinder and Dremel tool. I then turned to drilling it out with cobalt drill bits. Very slow drilling while applying lubricant. At one point, to keep the whole bolt from spinning, I applied a flat pry bar in the tiny space under the bolt head and pried upward. It kept the bolt from spinning up to a point. Then, the whole bolt began very rapid spinning, while I was applying strong upward force. Suddenly, I heard a "clunk" and the WHOLE bolt popped out of the hole! I guess the upward pressure jammed the nut firmly enough to unscrew it! The expression is true!! "Even a blind hog finds a nut every now and then"! BrianW

 

[BrianW]

THAT was one BIG ASS bolt! BrianW

 

[BrianW]

As long as I've been mutzin' around with this, even if it's hotter than the hinges of hell... and no wind, I'll motor the SOB around if I have too! BrianW

 

[Rick Webb]

Glad to Hear of Your Success

You going to have it back together in time for the firework this weekend?

 

[Chasemixon]

I thought the expression was "Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then" but I'm from the south...

 

[Nom De Guerre]

I thought it was "Even a blind beaver finds some wood now and again", but I'm from the North.

Okay, I made that one up.

 

[BrianW]

Depends on where in the South you're from. Variants are geographically driven. One variation has the discovered morsel in question as an acorn. Lee Pederson's Linguistic Atlas of the Gulf States lists at least six variations in the five Gulf states alone. BrianW

Ok.... I made that one up too!! :dance:

 

[BrianW]

Rick, my fireworks viewing this year will be land-based. Will have my H-26 in the boatyard (your recommended yard, Rebel) the two weeks following 4th of July weekend. BrianW

 

[Rick Webb]

Ill Not be out on the Boat Either

Too many idiots out there.

I'll lie in my pool and watch them from there.

 

[Kermit]

As long as the thread is already hijacked, we plan to sail down and watch fireworks with our patriotic lights up.

 

[BrianW]

That's OK Kermit... this post is officially done!

 

[Rick Webb]

Done?

Don't jinx yourself it has to go back together.

Did you get the whole thing down a figure out what the deal was?

The bolt looks OK