Hi Guys. I have had success by stuffing a sponge into the drain-no fuss, no muss, no modification to a simple builder design and nearly expenditure free. RTH. -----Original Message----- From: Jim Dahlquist Sent: Saturday, June 15, 2013 11:44 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: How to replace a centerboard rope? Hi Dave, Thanks for those remarks. Sometimes it is just about exploring, and conversation, and crew may not care about speed. I want the check valve for more flexibility, and fewer restrictions. I also appreciate your description of pennant replacement. It sounds like a significant marina bill, but no top access required except to feed the rope through. I would always be able to pull the rope through from below. And also to reload it from below by feeding a lead through the tube from the top. Thanks. Jim Dahlquist. PS: Here is a link to a short video demonstration of the check valve. But I am now considering an alternative membrane type of valve. Both are serviceable, but the membrane type would give better access to the inside pendant, through the cockpit drain area. The cylindrical design allows removal of inner cylinders including the ball seal/race, and ball. It could also be plugged with a cork. https://www.dropbox.com/s/ckkop97obau47y9/2012-10-18%2019.56.33.mov Jim Dahlquist Palatine, IL jim@dhlqst.com