Ches: one approach is to removed the board and then use a stick to figure out how thin the board needs to be by running the stick up into and then the length of the trunk. if the stick doesn't fit rip it through a tablesaw, taking of a 16th or so, and re-fit the stick. once you have a stick that can fit the entire truck use it as a 'width pattern' to make a slot in board. with this 'sizing tool' you can then pass the centerboard through and now know much material to remove. the fiberglass board will have about 1/16" thick fiberglass with a covering of about 1/32" (or so) of gelcoat. once you sand through the gelcoat you will need to re-coat the board (something like an Interlux barrier coat will do). if you get through the fiberglass shell into the steel punching you need to coat the board with something that is compatible with steel to seal the board. -- :: Dave Scobie :: former M15 owner - www.freewebs.com/m15-named-scred :: M17 #375 SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com On Fri, Aug 29, 2014 at 2:25 PM, Chesley Sugg <csugg@mindspring.com> wrote:
Hi all,
I need a little advice. My 81 15 has developed a stuck centerboard.
It appears that the centerboard truck walls have developed the dreaded bulge. My board sticks up and while I can drive it down, I don't want to do this on a ongoing basis.
I think maybe a 1/8" clearance might let it work again. I don't see trying to correct the bulge in the walls. I see either making a new board or sanding about a 1/8 to 3/16 off the width of the existing board. Has anyone done this? Is there enough fiberglass in the construction of the board that would withstand taking this much off?
Thanks for any help.
Ches Sugg M-15 "Mouse" (#153)