I have to replace the centreboard control lines on Midnight Flight (3681), and because these are dead-ended through the top flange of the plate case it means removing the correctors underneath. I don't know about Merlins, but in some classes this isn't permitted. More to the point, I can't get them out, as in addition to the screw fixings they are firmly stuck to the boat with something! Any suggestions on how to proceed, please?

If possible try taping the new rope to the end of the old rope once you've undone the stopper knot. You should be able to pull through without needing to remove the lead.

I'm sure it is fine to remove the lead if you have to for a job like this as long as it goes back in. Most are screwed or bolted. Some may also have some silicone mastic to help hold in place.

Ross

I have found that if you want to lead a new piece of rope through something a good idea is to get a bit of the plastic covered thin garden tying wire.  Strip off the outer cover of plastic and poke the uncovered wire through the outer braid of the two ends of rope making a doubled section of wire.  Make sure that you twist the wire round itself and cover with electrical tape and pull through gently and untie when complete. This method avoids a thick part in the line which is often the problem.  I have also use very thin nylon threaded through the braid with a needle and tied off on each rope to ood effect.  Pull the join really hard first to be confident it won't pull off during the process.

In reply to Ross; I don't think this will be possible, as the lead is so snug I can't get to the stopper knot. I can of course cut the old rope to re-thread, but there's still the question of making a new dead end afterwards. Or have I missed something....?

One possibility might be to attach thin wire to the new rope and try and poke it through from above round the side of the lead roll and pull through - similar to Garry's suggestion. Will try this next. Please keep the ideas coming - many thanks.

Why not ask the builder?

As they say in magazines I caught up with David at Whitstable, and he thought it would be best taking the lead out to do the job. Being rather new to Merlins, I don't know at what stage the lead is put in or by whom ie. during build or following delivery and measurement.

Hi Douglas, Midnight Flight was delivered measured and weights fitted by Mr Winder.

Don't forget to pop the lead back in Doug.. 

SOME DO !!

Confession time.  I found a fairly small but heavy object in the bottom of the boat in Salcombe in July 2004 which I am afraid I dropped over the side to poison the fishes somewhere halfway up Southpool creek.  My come-uppance was later that year in Looe where I was trying to find some lead to put back in a 9-year old boat (thanks Glen & Davo).

When you do put your correctors back in make sure they are securely fixed!

Do you leave a sacrificial piece of your boat at salcombe every year Dr Mills??

Usually Chris.  Burgees mostly but also bits of gunwale, transoms...

Job completed, thanks to all for advice (and everyone who came over to ask what I was up to yesterday!) In the end I got the correctors out -  the hard part was putting them back in with mastic. Wiring old rope to new and taping tightly worked a treat for pulling through.

After I'd finished, I thought of leaving a tail on the dead end hanging down below the lead (maybe even putting it in thin PVC tube) to help with the next re-stringing. Too late for me, but may help others!