Removing centerboard by yourself

[allemande]

Hello,
I had to figure out how to remove and reinstall the centerboard on my 1984 DS II by myself and came up with a way to do it. Perhaps other forum users are interested in this? I modified my boat trailer which allowed me to keep the boat on the trailer while removing the centerboard. If interested, here is a pdf with step-by-step info and photos on how to do it. The pdf is located in my public dropbox folder and available here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/hyn4j7ev ... xb7ng&dl=0

Good luck!

- Hans

[Stewart711]

Very nice!

[RaleighRancher]

Thanks. My trailer setup is different, but the pics of the CB removal and modification are very helpful.

[pyroane]

Thanks for this, Hans. It's very helpful. on my trailer there is just enough room between the axle and the rear crosspeice to lower the cnterboard, and it appears there is sufficient room to remove the CB. I have a question about the screws that hold the two retaining plates that support the wedges. On my 83" DSII I think I can see the ends of the screws through the inspection ports in the cockpit. I assume the screws pass through a metal plate enbedded in the fiberglass. Is that correct? If so, is it difficult to re-seat those screws? Since they pass through the hull do they require sealant when being replaced, and again, if so, is there a recommended sealant?

[RaleighRancher]

Yes, you are seeing the ends of those screws, and yes, they go through threaded metal backing plates embedded in the hull. There was residue of sealant on the screws when I pulled them. The screws easily went back into the holes. I added sealant on mine -the same marine silicone that I used on the wedges and plates.