MacGregorSailors.com

Hi All,

I have my 2001 Mac X on the trailer and I wanted to change out the old centerboard line. I've read about dropping the centerboard, but I was wondering if I am able to change the line without dropping the CB. Can I just fish a wire hanger around the knot on the centerboard and pull the line through while it's on the trailer?

Thanks,


Randy

Randy,

I removed my board to take a look at it. Glad I did, turns out the PO cracked it somehow...guessing the same way he chewed up two props,bent the bow rails and put a bunch of stress lines in the deck.

Anyway, removing the board wasn't difficult. I did it on the trailer in the driveway but I did not look up into the cavity... don't know for sure if there is room to do what you're talking about. I'd check now but it's pouring in Cleveland.

Briggs

I replaced the centerboard line on my X on the trailer last summer. Because the trailer cross member prevented lowering the board with the line I had to drop the hanger from inside. With a piece of carpet or other cushion underneath to avoid chipping the board, it was pretty easy. Before I lowered the board I taped an end of the new line to the upper end of the old line. When the board was down I pulled the line through and knotted the new line after passing it through the hole in the board. I found that a stopper knot was too large and interfered with lowering the board so I used a simple overhand knot. The foreman at the factory said that was the right way.

You might try tying some string around the top of the hanger shaft/bolt to ease pulling it through the hole in the hull. Aiming the shaft through the hole from below was the most difficult part of the job.

Harvey