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I'm replacing my centerboard the hanger screw/bolt is damaged /bent totally unusable. I have ground out the welded in bolt and need to install a new one and my question is does it also need to be welded in or was that something to facilitate installation ? any help opinions are appreciated. Thanks

Since the CB has to be in it when it's installed, the bolt has to be secured against rotation. That means carriage bolt with something to keep it from falling out until it's in place, line a wire fed through the hole in the trunk with someone pulling up, or just welded to the bracket.

The complete bracket, with pin and stud, is only $46 from BWY.

Ok, Thanks that helps a lot. I thought that might have been the reasons but I just wasn't sure

I know the rudder hinge pin is close to the bottom of the trunk when in position, so it may be possible to use a long bolt, nut it on top, install the pin and CB, then pull it up and spin the nut down. Use a pair of nuts at the top of the bolt, torqued against each other, to put a wrench on and hold the bolt from turning as you tighten the nut against the washers and maybe rubber gasket (can't remember if it has one), but I don't know that for sure. You could play with that option without the CB in place, to see if that will work for you, then do it for real with the CB pinned in.

If you're doing it with the boat on the trailer, it will be MUCH easier if you have a helper or two. A cement block or jack stand or stack of wood at the trailing end of the CB, near the bunk, will help hugely. I kept dropping mine until I got smart and used something to hold the 'bottom' of the CB while I messed about with the 'top' and the hanger. My FIL was up top to start the nut. Once it's started, the rest is easy.