Irrational fear / keel bolts

[zstine]

Originally Posted by Cadence

I would think, if you can find a spec. torque and can achieve that without hearing that disgusting sound of it snapping you are golden. If you can't find a boat MFG. spec. go with one for that grade and dia. bolt.

Paranoia will give you ulcers. Best of luck.

I second that... if it doesn't break during proper torquing, than you are probably fine. If you post the bolt / nut dimensions (size, nut height and thread, Assume 316SS), we can calculate an approximate torque. You want to reach minimum 60% of material yield, up to 100% yield. This is much more than the bolt will see from standard operation of sailing the boat.

BTW 100ft-lbs is WAY TOO LOW for most keel bolts! Half the wheel studs on cars get 100ft-lbs torque and they're much smaller than your keel bolt! Tartan spec is 350ft-lbs for a 1" bolt... If you can't get a spec, I'd put a 30" breaker bar on it and pull as hard as you can without jerking it. If it don't break, don't fix it.

[ontherocks83]

Originally Posted by zstine

I second that... if it doesn't break during proper torquing, than you are probably fine. If you post the bolt / nut dimensions (size, nut height and thread, Assume 316SS), we can calculate an approximate torque. You want to reach minimum 60% of material yield, up to 100% yield. This is much more than the bolt will see from standard operation of sailing the boat.

BTW 100ft-lbs is WAY TOO LOW for most keel bolts! Half the wheel studs on cars get 100ft-lbs torque and they're much smaller than your keel bolt! Tartan spec is 350ft-lbs for a 1" bolt... If you can't get a spec, I'd put a 30" breaker bar on it and pull as hard as you can without jerking it. If it don't break, don't fix it.

I think the sheet from Catalina engineering is in my storage locker but I would bet my paycheck it is absolutely no more than 105 ft lbs per Catalina. If I find it I will post a pic.

[Jim Cate]

The folks at Catalina are famed for being friendly and helpful. Why in the world not just call them and ask about risks and about proper torque? they are likely to know better than internet pundits!

Jim

[boeing1]

I would think if the boat is on the hard, inspect the keel to boat joint, if there is a problem with the keel bolts I think you should see a problem, also inspect keel boats for condition and torque
than again I am not a expert,

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by ontherocks83

I think the sheet from Catalina engineering is in my storage locker but I would bet my paycheck it is absolutely no more than 105 ft lbs per Catalina. If I find it I will post a pic.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

That's the word.

For Jim Cate, it's been that way for decades. No need to call.

[Terra Nova]

Keep in mind that these bolts are bearing against fiberglass, not metal. So I wouldn't expect to torque them to typical automotive values.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

That's the word.

For Jim Cate, it's been that way for decades. No need to call.

Well, he did say "if I find it...". A call would save him having to wait while the kind fellow searches through his garage.

Jim

[model 10]

BTW 100ft-lbs is WAY TOO LOW for most keel bolts! Half the wheel studs on cars get 100ft-lbs torque and they're much smaller than your keel bolt! Tartan spec is 350ft-lbs for a 1" bolt... If you can't get a spec, I'd put a 30" breaker bar on it and pull as hard as you can without jerking it. If it don't break, don't fix it.[/QUOTE]

Even the skeg on something like a Gulfstar needs your biggest wrench. I loaned someone my emergency tiller which is long, to tighten their skeg bolts.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Guy

BTW 100ft-lbs is WAY TOO LOW for most keel bolts! Half the wheel studs on cars get 100ft-lbs torque and they're much smaller than your keel bolt! Tartan spec is 350ft-lbs for a 1" bolt... If you can't get a spec, I'd put a 30" breaker bar on it and pull as hard as you can without jerking it. If it don't break, don't fix it.

Even the skeg on something like a Gulfstar needs your biggest wrench. I loaned someone my emergency tiller which is long, to tighten their skeg bolts.[/QUOTE]

Please, WADR, stop it already. Most mid-sized Catalinas are 105 ft lbs. That's why we're here, and why we don't need someone to look in garage.

[model 10]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

] Most mid-sized Catalinas are 105 ft lbs. That's why we're here, and why we don't need someone to look in garage.

The sea floor is littered with Catalina rudders, we should take their torque specs?

[RaymondR]

How do they fix the keel bolts into the keel.

[alctel]

Originally Posted by estarzinger

Chuck is probably too modest to blow his own horn . . . But it is a pretty famous incident.

Boat named Charley on delivery back from Hawaii, keel drops off 1.5 days out, Chuck is skipper turns boat around and sails it back successfully with no keel (actuslly only a 1' stub).

I think the story is in a bit longer form here: http://club.scyc.org/wp-content/uplo...et-2011-12.pdf

Wow. Incredible story.

[Moody Mike]

Once inspected and resealed you wont ever worry again. If you don't it will always be in the back of your mind no matter how well you tighten them.
Mike


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[ontherocks83]

Originally Posted by estarzinger

Chuck is probably too modest to blow his own horn . . . But it is a pretty famous incident.

Boat named Charley on delivery back from Hawaii, keel drops off 1.5 days out, Chuck is skipper turns boat around and sails it back successfully with no keel (actuslly only a 1' stub).

I think the story is in a bit longer form here: http://club.scyc.org/wp-content/uplo...et-2011-12.pdf

Holy crap! Way to stay calm under pressure. I want to know if there is any bit of laws of physics that can explain why she didn't turn turtle.

Great write up Chuck!

[Moody Mike]

Chucks not the only one either.
http://www.wavetrain.net/news-a-view...no-one-noticed


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