[Rhodes22-list] Centerboard cap reattach

[Gary]

Hello Mr. Joe,

Recently  I removed my "Diamond Board" and did some repairs on it.  Doing so
required me to remove the 4,387 bolts, nuts and washers that seal the
diamond board cap.  The rubber is quite thick and playable and was still in
great shape.  Just take your time, clean both the flange in the bottom of
the boat, the fiberglass cap flange, and both sides of the thick rubber
gasket.  Then, start slowly tightening the bolts and nuts from the center
(measured from fore and aft of the cap) Just seat (just a bit of pressure on
your socket and wrench) and then work crosswise from the center point of the
cap working back and forth (port then starboard) in an x pattern.  Then
re-trace your initial steps, and do it again, tightening the nuts, bolts and
washers port, starboard, all the while with each tightening working equally
fore and aft, port and starboard.
My boat was 27 years old and the rubber gasket was fine.
If my explanation is to confusing, just look up " how to tighten up a
gasket" as a google search and you will get the idea. 
P.S. If there are missing washers or cross threaded bolts/nuts, suggest
replacing them with good S/S hardware.  Please insure you do use S/S washers
to assist in distributing the pressure on the cap so as to not crush the
immediate fiberglass area if you only use a nut or bolt without the washer. 
No need to use sealant. Another tip is not to over torque the nuts and
bolts.  Just firm or snug.  No monster tightening is required.  If you do
this it will warp the flanges and induce a leak.  If after you float your
boat and you spot a leak just add a 1/4 turn on the bolts near the leak at a
time.  Do this till the leak stops.  More than likely, you won't have to do
this.    



-----
Gary
s/v Just Bent
'90 Rhodes 22
(recycled 2001)
Sun City, AZ
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