We are seriously considering a 1998 Jeanneau 42 CC. On a recent inspection, the bilges were exceptionally clean but the keel bolts were individually glassed over. Was this a factory construction practice in 1997 or is someone covering something up?
I confirm, running in several manufacturers.
it is not a good thing else, it is better to have a visible access to the bolts and to be able to check if leaks and condition of bolts
On my Dufour Gib sea from 2003 they where also glassed in. PO chipped two of them clean to check the status of them. Looked good and I haven't been doing anything else to them since I bought the boat
While that may be true it would also lock the water in place if there was any, the greatest enemy of stainless is water devoid of oxygen which will corrode the metal quickly.
Glassing over the bolts is good practice, prevents bilge water from seeping down around the bolts and crevice corrosion. Very good as long as the hull-keel joint is tight. Normally, the glass over the bolts should be easily removable.