M_Boats: Got the centerboard down!

I got the stuck centerboard on my M15 out with a puller (see photos) based on a design by Jim Sadler. The board was really stuck, and hammering down a rod from the top did nothing. Rusting seems to have drastically increased it's thickness. I wish I had tried this puller right from the beginning. Now which way do I hammer out the pivot pin? Does it matter? I heard once that it's tapered on one end, but I don't know which. Sincerely, Tyler '81 M15 #157 "Defiant"