Sandra, this is a common theme for the M15. It could be that in addition to the problem with the steel shot in the CB, you may just have junk that has gone down the drain and helped stick things. When I had my M15, I would use the topping lift to pull the boat over on its side near a shallowish beach. I would then walk around and grab the CB with a pair of needle nose pliers, and pull it down. You might try that. Others have used a dowel down the drain/cb rope holes. Steve On Jul 11, 2010, at 3:16 PM, Seawitch wrote:

I have looked into the archives and found a couple of messages relating to the issue of stuck centerboards. My M15's centerboard is stuck and I am unable to get it to drop completely. In order to access the slot, there has to be a way to raise the boat off the trailer. I have been unable to locate anyone in my area of Utah with a boat lift or who works on sailboats. One of the articles I read in the archives showed an elaborate but permanently built lifting mechanism someone built for an M17. Not something I am able to do. Anyone have any simple suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Fair Winds, Smooth Sailing! Sandra(Seawitch #617)

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Sandra, The board in my M15 was severely stuck due to a grounding in gravel and susequent trailing without clearing it out. It was jammed tight. I don't know what is causing yours but it is likely that something dropped in the cockpit drain and is rolling on the way up and jamming on the way down. I drilled a 1/4 hole through the splash guard and the bridge deck thwart to get at the top of the CB. I broke a couple of dowls trying to push it down while it was in the water. I then bought long auger bit and made it a 7/16 hole and used a 1/2 dowel. I still couldn't push it down so I put a 2x4 on top of it and bounced on it an it popped out. The debris in mine then cleared right out. If you do this make sure the CB pendant is cleated short enough to not freely drop to the end you you will break the top of the CB. You should only need about 5 inchs of slack if the dowel is only 4 inchs above the bridge deck thwart. You can leave the holes or plug them when you are done. If the board still sticks at a spot going up and down you could careen it on one of those nice white beachs you have and wet sand the sides of the board until it raises and lowers smoothly. Thanks Doug "Seas the Day" M15 #310G ________________________________ From: Seawitch <seawitchlj@yahoo.com> To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Sent: Sun, July 11, 2010 3:16:16 PM Subject: M_Boats: Stuck centerboard I have looked into the archives and found a couple of messages relating to the issue of stuck centerboards. My M15's centerboard is stuck and I am unable to get it to drop completely. In order to access the slot, there has to be a way to raise the boat off the trailer. I have been unable to locate anyone in my area of Utah with a boat lift or who works on sailboats. One of the articles I read in the archives showed an elaborate but permanently built lifting mechanism someone built for an M17. Not something I am able to do. Anyone have any simple suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Fair Winds, Smooth Sailing! Sandra(Seawitch #617) _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats Remember, there is no privacy on the Internet!