--- Wayne Yeargain <saltydog@ev1.net> wrote:
Could you tell us how you lost your centerboard, & do you have a 15 or a 17? Wayne
Wayne, I have a 1984 M15 #310. I purchased it in Feb 1998 and at that time the stainless steel center board pin was flush with the exterior of the keel. The ends of the stainless pin were clearly visible. This was the first time I had ever seen an M15 and did not know that the factory doesn't build them this way.
From the factory the pin is recessed slighly on both sides of the keel exterior and glassed over. Factory built the CB pin will not be a risk factor.
I now know that my M15 had the orignianl pin removed for some reason ( most likely a CB repair due to removing the stopper knot in the lanyard, this will allow the CB to drop too far and break just forward of the pin). The replacement pin wiggles to the port side as you trailer or possiblly sail as there is no restraint. I had put a small amount of 5200 sealant on the pin and I have epoxied over the pin ends at a later time as the sealant didn't work. I am not sure which "cure" I was using at the time I lost the board. I towed the M15 from VA to MA and was so excited about starting the cruise I did not check the pin to see if it had moved while trailering. During the 30 mi crossing to Nantucket ( a nice beam reach with 12 - 15 kts of wind, deeeelightfull) I crossed a shoal and it got a little rough. The CB started clunking more than expected but after I cross the shoal I heard no more noise. When I anchored that night I pulled the cb up but there was no weight on the lanyard as it was broken, no stopper not at the lower end. In the AM went overboard with mask and snorkle to attach a new lanyard - NO CENTERBOARD! - just the pin sticking way out. :( Luckily the new boards Bob Eeg is makeing fit the older M15 with a little judicious sanding here and there. I have now shortend the pin so it is recessed slighly and epoxied over it. The problem has not returned. Thanks Doug __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail is new and improved - Check it out! http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail