Continuing on from the tasks of the morning, removing the centerplate was next.
The pivot bolt was removed from the case and the salt-encrusted rope cut off the plate itself and a thinner line attached, one that would go down through the centerplate slot with problems. However, the plate just would not drop out of the hull.
It came out this far and no further. In the end I decided that there was either a stone wedged in the case somewhere or the pivot was not just a bolt but a tube held in place by the bolt. Since the plate sounded as though it were being brought up some something metallic, the latter option seemed most likely. That left us with two options. The first was to lift the boat up another 1.5m or so to allow the plate to be taken out vertically, or it would have to be take out from the inside as is the case with Naiad. With Naiad I can easily remove the mast compression post so getting the plate out is just awkward due to the weight and size.
Lifting the boat any higher was just not practical, in fact, with the equipment I have it would be pretty much impossible. So the inside option was the next to be tried.
This is as far up into the cabin I could get the plate, it’s touching the roof at this point. However, by removing the back two covers of the case I could lean it forward and just move to enough to one side to clear the compression post and it slid out.
Then it was just a case of sliding it out of the cabin using a couple of foam mats so as not to damage the varnish in the cockpit.
Judging by the wear at the top of the slot, I would presume that this is the original centerplate made by Fairey back in 1963. It is in remarkable condition. There’s rust on the leading edge but nothing to cause concern, the only two areas that need attention are the worn slot and the worn hole at the top of the plate used to haul it up and down. Once it has been scrubbed a decision on whether it should be re-galvanised or painted with antifoul will be taken.
Here you can see where the two cover boards were removed. They were going to be take out anyway, so that’s not a problem and the screws holding them in place were stainless steel and came out easily.
Difficult to photograph but you can just see the pivot in the case. It may be held in place by the two metal plates screwed to the outside of the case. I’ll check that out another day.
Shoal Waters has been put back to bed ready for the next step.
The trailer was put into the hay barn as the forecast suggests that it might be wet for a few days and having it in the dry means that I can work on it without any hassle.
Time for a cup of tea.