Some jobs require that you remove the centreplate from the boat. First you’ll need to take off the centre plate casing top board, and then there are two ways to remove the centreplate itself.
Float the boat in approximately 600 mm of water. Drop the centre plate down, remembering to detach the block and tackle off the end of the centre plate. The centre plate will hit the beach/shore at 600 mm. This is about the angle that the tapered slot in the centre plate becomes vertical, so you are able to wriggle the centre plate out vertically and draw it out into the boat. You’ll be able to feel from the plate position when it’s ready to slide off the pin.
The more difficult method is having to have the boat ashore on pads or tyres, tilting the boat at 90 degrees horizontally, and wriggle the plate out that way into the boat.
Go for floating it if possible, then you can push the boat out slightly if the angle is not good. It sounds difficult, but once you think it through it’s easy.
Remember that a centreplate weighs about 50kg so although it’s possible to do on your own, it’s easier and safer with two people.