Cav32 keel bolts

[AlexSiun]

Hi everyone

I’m planning to buy 1974 Cav32 here in NZ. When I looked at the boat it has lots of issues to address and wet bilge is one of them. Does anyone know construction of this area or how to inspect Cavalier 32 keel bolts without dropping the keel down?

[nuku34]

Hello, I’ve got a Cav32 in Nelson, “Betelgeuse II“ built 1973 by Salthouse. My bilges are bone dry. When I bought the boat, there was a very slight weeping from the aft keel bolt which disapeared when I tightened all the nuts on the 5 bolts.
The Cav 32 keels are all lead and the stainless “J” profile keel bolts are cast into the keel. You cannot “pull” these bolts for inspection as they are not threaded into the keel (lead is too soft for that method of attaching keel bolts).
There is a very heavy internal keelson glassed into the hull. I’m not sure what material this is, but suspect it is wood.
It is not clear in your post if you believe the wet bilge is the result of leakage around the keel bolts. Have you hauled the boat, and are there cracks where the keel joins the hull?
I’m happy to help you with any other Cav 32 issues. They are a great design!