Hi Neil.... You're just fine. A previous owner obviously just decided to use a bolt and nut. No worries. Normal slapping noise is fine. You do want to make sure the board hangs in the down position on the KNOT in the rope. No hitting noise against the forward face of the trunk when the board is lowered. If it is hitting in the down position, lower the knot up an inch or so. Fair winds Bob www.montgomeryboats.com Thanks for the Jeopardy Game at Havasu..that was fun.!
From: ndorf@surfbest.net To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Date: Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:13:41 +0000 Subject: Re: M_Boats: permanent fix for your center board pin
All this talk about centerboard pins now has me concerned about something I had not previously considered. I have only had my '85 M15 since August and I don't know how many other prior owners.
Anyway, I just went out on the driveway and looked at my keel, and I have an exposed bolt going through it. Without actually removing it, it looks like it might be a 1/2" or maybe a 7/16" SS bolt, with large 1" outer diameter washers on each side and a nut screwed on to hold the whole thing together.
As far as I know, this has not been problematic. Does anyone know if this sounds like it would have been "stock" or previous owner's quick repair? And, other than a performance hit from the drag (minor, I would surmise) it causes by being exposed and not having a smooth keel surface, are there any other concerns I should have?
When I sail, I hear the centerboard knocking now and then but I always considered that to be normal.
Thanks for any and all comments.
Neil
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