MacGregorSailors.com

Hi everyone,

I just removed the centerboard on a 26 foot '92 mac. It had to be repaired at a few places. I got a few questions:

- What are the two 1 inch plugs for, on either side of the centerboard attachment. They appear to be shut with fiberglass. Do they come so (I mean out of factory) or were they modified? Are they kind of a traps to fit the attachment nuts?

- Speaking of attachment nuts: are they accessible? Or do I just have to screw the new bolts in, assuming they are in good shape? (I just can't see them, since they are into the hull.) that model is attached with two screws (flat ones) removable from under the hull.

- Anyone know of any mod to make the centerboard stiffer, it's always moving sideway. Would fitting a plug inside the shaft hole be a good idea?

Thanks for helping,

Steph

There should be two 5/16 or 3/8 inch counter sunk bolts that holds two SS brackets, these brackets hold the centerboard pivot pin (about 1" dia). the two 1 1/2 holes in the bottom have plastic covers like the inside of the boat uses everywhere, inside the cavity is the washers and nuts for those two countersunk bolts, they are all that holds the centerboard in there. To work on them you need a bent wrench to tighten them.

The cavity is external to the watertight part of the boat. hope this helps.
.
LS

Larry wrote: To work on them you need a bent wrench to tighten them.
LS

When I removed my 26-S centerboard, I discovered that the "bent wrench" has to be about 90 degrees in order to reach inside. You'll find its fairly easy if the boat is positioned and supported well in order to work underneath for access. The two plugs pop out for access to the holding nuts. I had to repair the CB, and reattach a new CB cable. Refiberglassing the damaged areas strengthened mine quite a bit.