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Bundy Mark · 28-02-2022, 00:35

Dear Brains Trust,
We are in need of some details on the keel bolts in our newly acquired Oceanis 430 - 1988 (equivalent) - this action is to meet our Marine Survey requirements.
We have obtained the overall specs on bolt sizes and torque settings from Beneteau France but this only gives us the sizes from M14 through to M36 - no details on lengths and actual layout (so we don't miss any) for our particular vessel.
We would prefer to not pull a bolt to find out this detail only to find the each diameter has a differing length.
Does anyone know of where we can find such details, or better still, have experience with acquiring keel bolts for Beneteau yachts for this size boat?

All help will be greatly appreciated - yours in the brine.
Bundy Mark

**GordMay** · 28-02-2022, 02:31

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Bundy Mark.

**tkeithlu** · 28-02-2022, 06:12

Can't directly help you, but:

I'm gathering from your description that the bolt heads are in the bilge and the nuts imbedded in the keel, right?

Then I recommend that you, at the dock with no big forces on the keel, remove and return them one at a time, measuring as you go. There is plenty of redundancy in the matrix of bolts. You are going to have to do that to replace them in any case.

Did the company also specify the grade of the bolts? That's really important.

Good luck with the project. It will be reassuring to know that your keel is going to stay with you in the next storm.

pcmm · 28-02-2022, 06:33

Beneteau used to sell "keel bolt" kits why not reach out to them and see if they can put together a kit of the correct galvanized bolts for your keel.

Bundy Mark · 01-03-2022, 03:56

Big thanks for all the suggestions & links.
I'm not sure if the "thanks" button worked along side what I had said in appreciation but your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Thank You

bil56 · 01-03-2022, 05:55

the grade is sometimes indicated on the head of the bolts/screws.
and pay attention to the tightening torque, dry or oiled screws?

Laureat · 09-05-2022, 11:35

I don't know if you found the answer yet, but I did, we have a Beneteau Oceanis 430 1987 and my husband removed 7 bolts bolts of 10 already, last month. the bolts are grade 8 galvanized and mesure 3.5 inches, The seven of them were all clean no rust at all on the thread, just the head, was so rusted, that my husband had to use a dremel to resize the head, then a hamer drill with a 27mm socket to 24mm to removed them. He did one bolt a day, the last three of them are under the floor close to the bilge, but impossible to reach without removing the floor. I could send you some picture if you want and did not do the job yet.

Tetepare · 09-05-2022, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laureat

mesure 3.5 inches, .

Really? I’d expect them to be at least double that. I’m surprised

**Jim Cate** · 09-05-2022, 14:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Really? I’d expect them to be at least double that. I’m surprised

Ahh, but shorter bolts are cheaper... and the accountants who drive design know that! (Only sorta kidding here).

Jim

sandy stone · 09-05-2022, 14:40

I think Google will tell you that the minimum thread engagement depth for full strength in steel is 1 to 1-1/2 times the bolt diameter.

boatpoker · 09-05-2022, 14:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Ahh, but shorter bolts are cheaper... and the accountants who drive design know that! (Only sorta kidding here).

Jim

Nah ! I think you pretty much nailed it the first time

sandy stone · 09-05-2022, 14:49

Looking at it another way, with conventional bolt-on keels, how much thread engagement is there? I don't mean into the lead keel, but where the threaded joint is - the depth of the nut. Is that 3-1/2 inches?

boatpoker · 09-05-2022, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandy stone

Looking at it another way, with conventional bolt-on keels, how much thread engagement is there? I don't mean into the lead keel, but where the threaded joint is - the depth of the nut. Is that 3-1/2 inches?

Beneteau ... iron keel.