Steve: Been there, done that. I have M15 # 185, also a 1981 model, which I purchased on consignment from a dealer near Minneapolis. On her maiden voyage, we pushed off from the dock, sheeted in the main and loosened the centerboard pennant. The pennant didn't move, and I now laugh to think that I actually dove under the boat trying to unwedge the board for 45 minutes ( I came up for air several times). Turns out that centerboards made for M15's of our vintage were made with iron shot molded into them. Eventually moisture invades and causes the shot to corrode and swell, thus wedging the board in the slot. The newer boards are made with lead shot to avoid this problem. The new boards will not fit our older boats well. I ordered a new one from Bob Eeg and found that it was too thick (wide?) to fit into the slot. I was told that iron shot may also have been cast into the keel around the slot as well, and thought that the tight fit may have been due to the centerboard trunk swelling as well. Another M15 owner, Doug Kelch had lost his board when his pin came out, so I shipped it to him. The board was also too tight for his boat, and I believe he ended up grinding off a little of the gelcoat to make it fit. I had a friend with a machine shop make me a new board out of 3/4 inch plate steel which I primed and painted. It fits into the slot with no problem. I hesitate to tell you how I got the old board out, as I am afraid it may sound like "the Three Stooges do boat repair" to the more skilled members of the group! I first tried sliding a piece of re-bar down the pennant hole until it rested on the top of the centerboard, and then pounding on the bar with a mallet. Nothing. The bottom of the board was out about an inch and a half, so I drilled a hole through it and inserted a clevis pin. Then I put a steel bar through the pin and wedged each end of the bar under the frame of the trailer. Then we lifted the boat with some straps and two tractors, hoping that the weight of the trailer would pull the board down. I wish I had pictures of my boat hanging in the air with the trailer still attached. Next we had three of the farmer's burley borscht -fattened sons add their weight to the trailer (another 600 lbs, at least). After scratching my balding head and enjoying a malt beverage, the trailer was till hanging in the air. I ended up putting a plank against the hull next to the keel, and putting a car jack between the plank and the trailer, and jacking the board out of the slot. The board did not give up easily. After some godawful sphincter-puckering sounds, lots of sweat and probably the same curses you have tried, the mangled board, having given its all, finally popped out of the slot, amen. Hint: don't lay under the trailer if you do this. Hopefully, other members of the group will have a simpler solution, but if all else fails, this might work for you. Good luck! Dale Williams Staples, MN M15 #185 "Sophie Mae"