The black liquid may have been grease from the punches. Since she is almost 25 years young, can't say what or how long the liquid has been inside. It looked like 1/2 water and 1/2 oil or light grease. I could not remove the punches. They are sealed in a clear gell, probaby epoxy. The ones I could see were not rusted. I do believe there is swelling inside the trunk. The ballast in CB and trunk is steel as per the magnet . If I ever have to remove the ballast, it will have to be done from the exterior side of the trunk (see Dauntless at http://www.havasumontgomerys.funtigo.com/ She had this done last year. If the CB works OK I sure won't attack the trunk any time soon. -- Thomas (Tom) Hauser EEOC Contract Investigator Post Office Box 981134 Park City, UT 84098-1134 435-640-8417 -------------- Original message from "Jim Sadler" <jimsadler@jascopacific.com>: --------------

Thanks Tom

What do you think the "black liquid" was? What did you do to the centerboard ballast to stop the rust? Did you replace the balast in the centerboard?

Captin Jim skipper "Pelican"

-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+jimsadler=jascopacific.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+jimsadler=jascopacific.com@mailman.xmis sion.com]On Behalf Of thauser@att.net Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2007 10:58 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: RE: M_Boats: M15 stuck centerboard

Jim:

I purchased Kestrel, M-15, # 175, last year in Monterey, CA. She spent her life in salt water. CB was stuck solid. Used auto floor jack, pry bar, nylon straps, and plenty of soft language (!#., % * but nothing like #$$, or ^&!$??>>!!). Took out the copper swivel pin also. After much labor, was able to pry out CB. Opened the CB (4" x 4" inspection hole) and found about 1/4 cup of black liquid. Punchings were sealed in fiberglas so not all were corroded.

Trunk may have problems but can't get to it without major surgery. Sanded CB down as much as possible and this gave it enough clearance to go back into trunk with plenty of space to swing.

Replaced the pennant with a smaller line, made sure knot was stuffed inside the recessed area at rear edge of CB.

Before reinstalling brass swivel pin I placed a SS bolt. It sticks out either side of trunk but won't hurt for one season. Am waiting one season to make sure there is no further swelling (at least to impede CB), then will replace swivel pin and fiberglas the holes on either side of trunk.

Also, sailing only in fresh water may retard swelling. Put lots of marine bearing grease on CB. Double checked to make sure pennant is clear. So far, so good.

Regards. Tom

-- Thomas (Tom) Hauser EEOC Contract Investigator Post Office Box 981134 Park City, UT 84098-1134 435-640-8417

-------------- Original message from "Jim Sadler" : --------------

...

Thanks Rik

Do you know of anyone who has performed "major surgery" for this condition? What did they do? Do you know what form the 250 # of ballast is in? Is it steel punching? Does the surgery involve removing the ballast and maybe replacement with lead?

Maybe the best way is to send "Pelican" to Davey Jones fleet.

Jim Sadler skipper M-15 Pelican

-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+jimsadler=jascopacific.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+jimsadler=jascopacific.com@mailman.xmis sion.com]On Behalf Of Rik Sandberg Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 6:09 PM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: M15 stuck centerboard

Jim,

If that happens the problem is in the trunk, where the ballast is. A 15 has about 250 lbs of ballast.

But I'd make darn sure the pennant isn't stuck down along-side the center board before I started any major surgery.

Rik

Jim Sadler wrote:

...

Question

Is it the centerboad that swells or is it the trunk that swells. Is there steel inside the trunk that swells? I am sure this has been dicussed on the form but I don't know how to search for a subject?

Thanks for any suggestions or opinions

Jim Sadler

-----Original Message----- From: montgomery_boats-bounces+jimsadler=jascopacific.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:montgomery_boats-bounces+jimsadler=jascopacific.com@mailman.xmis sion.com]On Behalf Of Jim Sadler Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 9:25 AM To: montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com Subject: M_Boats: M15 stuck centerboard

My center board is really stuck.

I think it is probably a steel constructuon and has expanded.

How do you get them loose? Any idea would be appreciated.

Jim Sadler

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