I have been painting the bottom with epoxy barrier coat. First I suspended the boat to paint the keel with 4 coats of barrier coat, then a few coats of bottom paint. While I had it suspended, I had to pry it (the centerboard) out. I looped a strap around it before resting the boat on the keel again so I would have something to pull it down again when I launch it. At that time I will lift it with a crane and free the board before putting it in the water for the rest of the season. I was thinking of drilling a very small hole in the bottom corner where the cb always seems to stick out a little bit so I have a means to pull it down, but was reluctant to do that just yet. Anyone considered that? BTW, my CB is black. Is that the original finish? I was thinking of pulling it at the end of the season to work on it so it will freely go up and down. But for now, I just want to sail! Scott Larson