[Rhodes22-list] Centerboard Question

[Graham Stewart]

I found that when reinstalling the centerboard cap with bolts it is much easier to install the bolts from the bottom up and with the nuts on top. Make sure the bolts are not to long and will be cleared by the floor boards. You can hold the head of the bolt with a wrench and drive the nuts down from above with an electric screwdriver.

Graham Stewart
Agile, Rodes 22, 1976
Kingston Ontario







-----Original Message-----
From: Rhodes22-list [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Joe Dempsey
Sent: Monday, May 3, 2021 3:15 PM
To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Centerboard Question

Jim, I didn't bother reading all of the other replies. If your problem has
been solved, then you can stop reading now. I replaced my Centerboard
gasket, pendant and blocks a couple of years ago. The flooring comes up
quite easlily but it's helpful to remove the settee at the same time.
Depending on condition, plan on replacing the sub-floor. I found that it was
not marine grade and there was considerable mold and rot. If you do replace,
I'd advise getting a good soaking of wood preservative on it before
replacing. I purchased a gasket from the GBI plant. Stan will sell you one
for about $100. It is neoprene rubber. It will need to be cut and you have
your old one for a template. The key here are the hole locations. There are
over 50 and they MUST be correct to line up with the FG flange on the CB
trunk so you don't end up with any buckling of the gasket. If you're not
comfortable doing it yourself (which I wasn't) and you are in the southern
Virginia-Carolina area, take your Rhodes to the plant and have them install
the gasket. (Email Stan first: stan at generalboats.com for an appointment)
They will do it correctly. If you're in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area,
Voilier Yachts specializes in Rhodes. Contact Chris Cowie
ccowie at voilieryachts.com (he's on the List). The pendant for the CB is
fairly easy as well. In my case, I just had Voilier do it at the same time
as they cut out the gasket.  I installed the new gasket but found that
somewhere along the line, and you will find this alot, a previous owner had
skimped on the hardware. Plan now to purchase 316 grade stainless bolts,
fender washers and lock nuts. Best source is McMaster-Carr www.mcmaster.com.
You will need two fender washers for each bolt, one for either side of
gasket/flange sandwich.  These are a pain in the ass to install, especially
if your joints don't work as good as they used to! I have big hands so
getting underneath the flange to hold the lock nuts while starting the
threads was the hard part. Do not tighten down real hard. Make them all good
and snug but not full tight.  

The following is the article I wrote (which I try to do after each of my
Rhodes projects). The photos would not transfer over so I cut and pasted the
text.


REPLACING CENTERBOARD GASKET AND PENDANT
Needless to say, with the sole and sub-floor removed it was a good time to
inspect the centerboard (CB) trunk. I had suspected the gasket as a source
for much of the water and dampness in the bilge.  Removing the CB Cover and
Gasket is fairly easy. General Boats specification calls for a ¼” x 1-1/4”
-20 316 Stainless Steel Hex Bolt, locknut and 2 fender washers for each of
50+ holes. A previous owner had omitted the 100 fender washers. The gasket
showed considerable dry rot and a hole in the middle of the gasket about 1”
from the forward end of the cap. (Seen in the circular shaped stain in the
top right photo).  There were rust stains around most of the screws, so they
may not have been 316 Stainless. To my amazement, I found that the SS
fasteners that West Marine sells are 8-18 grade. They are really unsuitable
for the marine environment. For a few cents more, you can get 316 grade if
you look for it.  I replaced all of the hardware with ¼” x 1-1/4” 316 SS
Machine bolts, fender washers and lock nuts purchased from McMaster-Carr on
line.
Upon removing the CB Cover. Remove the pendant tube and clamp. Lift the CB
Cover and lay it upside down and take a photo of the pendant routing for
reference when re-assembling. “Respite’s” CB is the original design (same
shape as rudder) and originally was configured with the 4 block lift
mechanism. It was changed at some point to a single mini-block on the CB
routed directly from the forward bale in the raised portion of the CB Cover,
through the block to the 1” rod in the aft of the cover and through the hole
leading to the pendant tube to the cockpit. (See Sketch). Whoever did this
conversion did a pretty sloppy job leaving two of the original mini blocks
in a cluster at the bale where the pendant is tied off. The pendant was in
good shape but configuration of the pulley system had been changed, most
likely during “recycling” by General Boat. One of the original two mini
blocks on the trailing edge of the CB had been eliminated and both of the
two blocks in the trunk cap had been eliminated (although they were still
present) I obtained a replacement gasket through Chris Cowie, a Rhodie at
VoilierYachts in White Plains, MD. I took my CB cap to them so they could
get the bolt holes properly aligned in the right pattern. Once I had the new
gasket, re-assembly of the gasket and CB Cover was the reverse. I tightened
the hex screws good and snug taking care not to over tighten.  Once you
launch for the first time, check for leaks and torque the bolts as
necessary, but always allow for future tightening.  I’m in my third season
(2021) and it hasn’t leaked a drop!  This is a good time to paint your
bilge. I did so with Petit Bilge Paint. Be sure to completely clean, scrub
and rub down the bilge with the solvent recommended by Petit. I used two
coats allowing to dry according to the instructions.


I hope this will help you. The Rhodes is a great boat and there are many,
many great sources of information. You should contact Stan Spitzer at GBI
and inquire about the Owner's Co-Op Program:
http://www.usedrhodes.com/owners-coop.html . He gets prickley if you didn't
buy the boat from him, so you'll need to be in the program to get "factory
support".

Good luck.

PS: It is helpful to List readers if members include a signature with Name,
Location, Vessel Name and year(s).



-----
Joe Dempsey
s/v Respite 
Rhodes 22 1989/2005
Deltaville,VA
--
Sent from: http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/