Dang steve congatulations on the project. Im going to have to do this to my boat soon the sooner the better, so I am reading you posts with mucho intrest...BTW is there a retrofit from the old gudgeon pinion rudder arrangement to the sliding bar? I would like to get some specs and maybe convert mine, my old kickup rudder has a homemade design by the PO not only is it broken now but it was not as good as the full rudder. Gilbert Sagitta 1974 M17 -----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+gilbert=mindgame.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+gilbert=mindgame.com@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Steve Shenkel Sent: Sunday, March 05, 2006 10:29 PM To: 'For and about Montgomery Sailboats' Subject: M_Boats: More Keel-a-monster stuff I did a little grinding and sanding on my M17 centerboard today before taking to the sand blaster and made a couple observations: 1. The "parting line" appearance on Sean's keel also is apparent on mine. At first I wondered if the keel was made in three parts, which did not make sense. But then I reasoned that the line is about coincident with where the keel exits the trunk. But my keel is not pitted other than along the leading and trailing edges. In the middle, it is quite smooth and the paint is in pretty good shape. The "parting line" effect is just a difference in elevation between the two relative surfaces on either side of the line; and if worn or corroded, it was done before the keel was painted the last time. Further, the boat has no evidence that it ever sat in the water. Anotherwords, no bottom paint, growth, or discoloration. Therefore, how did this irregularity in the surfaces happen? Any ideas? 2. Centerboard pennant-This was pretty much fused together and I had to go at it with a hacksaw and cold chisel and then drive the pin out after a liberal application of liquid wrench. Additionally, the pennant (5/16"-2 part Dacron braid) was knotted up around the shackle. Somewhere I read that you needed to remove 4" of center core before knotting the 5/16" line around the shackle. It could be that this knot was wider than the slot, contributing to the sticking centerboard. a. Does anyone have a picture of what the shackle/pennant arrangement looks like? b. Has anyone tried to do a rope splice of the 2 part braid around the shackle? -Is there enough room when the centerboard is up against the top of the trunk? c. Has anyone made a custom pennant exit out the top of the trunk to better seal the exit? Just curious. There usually are some great replies. Steve Shenkel <>< _/) M17 # 263 Glendale, AZ _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats