Rusty Keel Bolts ?

[hoppy]

Today I inspected a 2000 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 37 that has been in charter here in Greece. The boat looked in pretty good condition considering it is 10 years old and in charter.

The only thing that concerns me about it are the keel bolts. They are a funny shade of red which has confused me as to whether it is rust or if it perhaps an old coat of anti-rust paint. The red around the nut on the hull makes me think that it is paint perhaps mixed with corrosion.

Is this a (very) bad sign and I should move on or is it something that could be cosmetic and that I should not put off by? I'd rather not pay a surveyor to tell me there is a big problem that is obvious to anybody who has a clue.

Cheers,
Clueless

[daddle]

Weird. Maybe they used some strong bilge cleaning compound. They look like they've met some odd chemical. Probably not a problem. Do they look sound? If you rap on them with a hammer do big chunks break off? Are they shiny under that red stuff?

[capngeo]

Looks like Red Lead paint with a fair amount of rust thrown in.... That said, they are in WAAAAY better shape than mine are!

[hoppy]

stupidly I took the photos but did not get on the ground to touch them or anything.

It has just occurred to me that if it was corrosion, usually you would find that a small flake has come off and stained the gelcoat elsewhere in the bilge. Or maybe I am totally wrong

I am in Greece for another 9 days, so I will have another chance to inspect it if I am still interested.

[capngeo]

Your pic is pretty good... there is rust, but (IMHO) not anywhere near critical. The red lead paint is seen on the plate under the bolt/nut and also between the rust...

I would wire brush, OSPHO, repaint, and not worry about it for a year or two