At What Age Should Keel Bolts Be Replaced?

[TheThunderbird]

J bolts can be inspected with ecographic sounding, as for rigging

Better in A4 than in A2, or SS 316 vs 304

I just added a second NUT (HIGH) and greased top

First and last one are the most prone to failure

PS check size/number vs displacement and ballast. Stress comes with heeling and hiving, not static ballast weight

For 8tonn ballast, I have #12 1"1/8 bolts. Ballast fin is 7' long

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by Ramjet60s

I looking to buy a 36' to 42' sloop. One 1966 sloop (42' Spencer... there were 26 made) has bolt on keel. Looks very good and bone dry.

The '36 sloop is encased. fyi

Thoughts?

Rodger

The keel in a Spencer is lead.

They were built very conservatively. If the studs and nuts in the bilge look good I would not worry.

[Ramjet60s]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

For a cruising boat, keel bolts should be replaced at the design stage, before building.

OK you made me laugh. I have a photo. Can you tell me hoe to post the image?

It's off a Spencer 42-2 built in 1966.

[Ramjet60s]

Originally Posted by mitiempo

The keel in a Spencer is lead.

They were built very conservatively. If the studs and nuts in the bilge look good I would not worry.

Thanks for the comment.

[sotavento]

For lead Keels bolts should be SS so very rarely should they need replacement

[capt jgw]

Actually bronze is better as it doesn't get crevice corrosion. But it's so expensive is rarely used. 316 stainless is the best that you'll commonly see, but if its trapped with salt water and no oxygen it will eventually corrode. It's only stainless in the open air.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Ramjet60s

OK you made me laugh. I have a photo. Can you tell me hoe to post the image?

It's off a Spencer 42-2 built in 1966.

When you want to post your image, clik on "post reply" or if you are on the bottom box clik on "go advanced". Then scroll down and clik on "manage attachments". Then clik on "browse" and pick/open the file off your computer. clik on upload and wait until your file disappears from the "browse" box. That's it.