Keel bolts shot?

[jeanathon]

How quickly would you all change these keel bolts out? Another month, day, immediately?
Thank you in advance.

[Sailmonkey]

Those pictures tell nothing of the condition of the bolts. If you're really concerned, haul and block the boat, then drop the keel so you can see the bolts where they pass through the hull.

[donradcliffe]

I'd say they're good for another 20 years.

[jeanathon]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

Those pictures tell nothing of the condition of the bolts. If you're really concerned, haul and block the boat, then drop the keel so you can see the bolts where they pass through the hull.

These are pictures from a boat I am considering buying sight unseen. I will not say more on that subject since I am not looking for the forum members approve or disapprove of said plan.

I am of course researching like crazy before I pull the trigger. Your technical insight is invaluable to me.

[noelex 77]

It is difficult to determine the condition of keel bolts from what you can see in the bilge. The bolt can look perfect, but be suffering from significant crevice corrosion where it cannot be seen.

The bolts are stamped 18-8 which is not an ideal grade of SS.
Above the keel the first two look perfect, but the third is suffering from signocant wastage of backing plate, together with a large crack in the backing plate.

[jeanathon]

Thank you noelex. I guess I should be a bit more exact in my question. Would you all pull the boat based on that one really ugly nut, or wait till the next time you were going to pull the boat?

[Jake Tanley]

Take a look here for some real world examples. It would be worth your time to read the entire thread.

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...-nuisance.html

[Sailmonkey]

Based on the one really ugly nut, I'd wait until next time the boat was hauled. But with one caveat......keep an eye on it and no hard sailing until then.

How many keel bolts are there?

[sushirama]

They look way better than mine.

[noelex 77]

I am not a professional. I and think the third keel bolt needs a professional opinion.

If the bilge was cleaned up it might show things much better. As well as the crack and wastage of the backing plate there may be a crack in the fiberglass.

[svHyLyte]

Originally Posted by jeanathon

How quickly would you all change these keel bolts out? Another month, day, immediately?
Thank you in advance.

Clean the crap out of the bilge and dry it out, wire brush the bolts/nuts/cut washers to remove surface rust and give them a few coats of Petit RustLok primer and you'll be good to go.

FWIW...

[Cheechako]

That's the problem with Keelbolts. No good way to tell without physically looking at them.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

The bolts are stamped 18-8 which is not an ideal grade of SS.
Above the keel the first two look perfect, but the third is suffering from signocant wastage of backing plate, together with a large crack in the backing plate.

FYI- 18-8: 300 series stainless steel having approximately (not exactly) 18% chromium and 8% nickel. The term "18-8" is used interchangeably to characterize fittings made of 302, 302HQ, 303, 304, 305, 384, XM7, and other variables of these grades with close chemical compositions. There is little overall difference in corrosion resistance among the "18-8" types, but slight differences in chemical composition do make certain grades more resistant than others do against particular chemicals or atmospheres. "18-8" has superior corrosion resistance to 400 series stainless, is generally nonmagnetic, and is hardenable only by cold working.

[PamlicoTraveler]

They don't look that bad to me. Remind me of an old C&C I had years ago.

[jeanathon]

Thank you all for your advice, and especially the lack of it ie. buying unseen.
I think I am going to pull the trigger on this one. I am sure I will be asking more questions in the future!
Pamlico it is an old c&c. I hope to be bringing it to your area soon.