Yacht Maintainence

[poundsterling]

Recently took my boat out of the water at a marina and trucked it to my home for quite a bit of work. Now that I have it on dry stand and had a close look at what has to be done, I have found something that I was not aware of and would appreciate some imput.

The yacht is a 36' steel Sloop with full length Keel. On the one side of the keel about 3 inches above the keel plate and about two foot apart are (2) hexagonal bolts.

Can anyone tell me what they are for ??

Thanks.

[Pblais]

You might want to take some digital pictures. Then you can load them to your Cruisers Forum personal photo gallery. We can then look at them and be able to see what you see. Off hand I'm at a loss to what they might be unless there is something attached on the other side or perhaps a remnant from when the boat was built.

If you expect to discuss more issues the pictures really will help you out. If you have loaded them to another location you can paste links to them in your messages too.

[GordMay]

Look, at that location, inside. They may be fastening something in place.

[ZolaSail]

Are they for attaching anodes? I have seen many steel boats that weld nuts or bolts to the hull as a way to attach anodes. just a thought.

[svHyLyte]

I suspect they may be bilge drains but to be sure you might want to contact the designer/builders. Take a look at Boden Boat Plans - Professionally designed ocean proven, build your own boat

Cheers,

s/v HyLyte

[David M]

It's possibly a couple drain plugs. Don't laugh. I have have a drain plug for my hollow full length keel on my aluminum boat.

[David_Old_Jersey]

GRP Boat - but my two Bilgekeels each have external drains - cos' they double as the watertanks - probably not the same in your case......but if you undo them and fresh water comes out, then yer know!

[poundsterling]

Thanks to all for your suggestions, I found a suitable ring spanner and with
the assistance of a tubular bar managed to get the leverage to move them.

The first bolt located towards the centre of the keel was loosened and removed and out spurted "diesel fuel", bolt quickly replaced.

The second bolt located at the rear, close to the rudder was loosened and removed and out spurted dirty bilge water, with a saltie taste, left it to drain.

Thanks again for the interest.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by poundsterling

... The first bolt located towards the centre of the keel was loosened and removed and out spurted "diesel fuel", bolt quickly replaced ...

You might consider draining (and catching) several gallons of fuel from the bottom of the tank, where water (if present) collects.
If the fuel is contaminated, you can dispose of it; if clear, you can filtre it, & return to tank through deck fill.

When reinstalling the bolts, remember that they are keeping seawater out of your fuel & drinking water - make certain they won’t leak under pressure.

[poundsterling]

Thanks for your advise, GordMay

Cheers.