X Keel Removal

[Retcoastie]

I'm trying to remove the swing keel from a 2002 X. I backed off the nut about 4 turns, placed a protecter nut on the top of the bolt, and started pounding with a 2 lb hammer. Nothing happening.

There appears to be a bulge in the fiberglass below the bolt about 2 inches up from the floor. I suspect that is the pivot bolt area. If so, does it have enough room to slide out without something else happening?

Thanks

[pclark]

You probably already have an owner's manual which has a fair diagram of the center board. If not; go to the manuals section of this site, you'll find it there.

Paul

[Newell]

Yes, there is room at the pivot to slide downward and out. Remember to place a pad under the CB and loosen the uphaul line several inches. Keep pounding the board is held in place by 5200 around the bolt, whose nut you have loosened. I have even heard owners having to use a bottle jack to break the bolt loose?

Newell

[wtelliott]

I had mine CB out the spring of 2005 when I was applying bottom coat. It was very difficult to get it out, but I would caution against pounding. Hard, sharp pounding to something attached to fiberglass scares me. I used a steady heavy (my 212 #) push with lever made from a piece of 2 x 4. It's been a while and I don't remember what I pried off of. It started moving and was tight for about an inch then it slid out nicely from there.
Good luck to you. BTW it went back in like a charm.

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

put a small piece of 2 x 4 on top of the bolt.
you need to pound with a small sledge in short firm blasts.
suddenly it'll pop out.

when you go to re-install, you actually do not need 5200 adhesive since the location of the thru hull is above the waterline. silicone is probably OK if you plan on removing in the future.

[Retcoastie]

I got it out, just needed more “gentle” persuasion.

I was very disappointed at the damage the pivot pin had done to the fiberglass in the trunk. The stainless pin had square shoulders and those shoulders had beaten and chipped the fiberglass badly.

My boat has been in the water only 14 days since new in 2002 so I did not expect that damage. The shoulders are now rounded and I will look for some type of caps for the ends before it goes back together.

[Captain Steve]

Retcoastie,

I rounded off the corners and found plastic caps at Loews and autozone. At Autozone, they were in the section with all the stuff on red backed blister packs. Its all those neat to have replacement caps.

[Retcoastie]

Thanks, Steve.