We are refinishing the sole in our 28.5 and that process has 'revealed' the keel bolts. Is it sensible to tighten them while they are available? It's an 87 and the keel bolts have probably never been tightened. There is no leakage--should we tighten or leave well enough alone?
When to tighten keel bolts (if ever)?
- Thread starter JohntheJayhawk
- Start date
Others who have Hunters will chime in . . . I had the torque checked on my keel bolts during my last refit. All 9 were uniformly a little loose and required 1/4 to 1/3 turn to bring them up to torque of 124 ft/lbs.
The bolts have to be tightened with the keel sitting on the ground. I think it would be a good idea to check the torque of each one. Things do settle and stretch with time (ask anyone over 60 years of age ! 
).
Bob
).Bob
Appreciation
Thanks to all of you for taking the time to respond and advise. This was my first "inquiry" and I was pleased with the tone and thoughtfulness of the answers. Thanks, guys, I hope sometime I see a question even I might have an answer to!The bolts have to be tightened with the keel sitting on the ground. I think it would be a good idea to check the torque of each one. Things do settle and stretch with time (ask anyone over 60 years of age !
Bob
I have an '86 H28.5. There is no evidence of keel bolt leakage. My advice is to leave well enough alone unless you see some signs of leaking around the bolts.
if the socket is truly 2 1/2" you will need a 3/4 drive reducer to a 1/2 drive torque wrench. 2 1/2" seems very large for keel nuts or bolts.
you may also need a torque multiplier and an extension............,maybe better to hire a mechanic to do the job,
if the keel really has 2.5" nuts you probably would need to go up 1" drive deep socket, try McMaster-Carr for something this size
Bob
if the keel really has 2.5" nuts you probably would need to go up 1" drive deep socket, try McMaster-Carr for something this size
Bob
I might be slow but I did heed your advice to check my keel bolts on my wing keel. Those of you who have Cat 250 fixed keel bolts beware! My bolts were indeed loose and a couple of them a turn or so out! This boat is a 1998 and hardly used and first dip in the ocean in September, heed the warning! Thanks Guys, you saved my rear. Chief
From Hunter:
Keel bolt sizes.........Socket size........... Torque
3/8"........................9/16"...............21 foot pounds
1/2" ........................3/4"...............45 foot pounds
3/4"........................1-1/8".............132 foot pounds
1" .........................1-1/2"...............325 foot pounds
1-1/4".....................1-7/8" .............546 foot pounds
Models Number of studs & size
H336 5 x 3/4", 1 x 1/2" and 1 x 3/8"
H340 2 x 1" and 3 x 1-1/4"
H356 2 x 1/2" and 6 x 1"
H37.5 7 x 1" and 1 x 3/8"
H37.6 7 x 1"
H40.5 3 x 1"
H410 7 x 1" and 1 x 1/2"
P42 & H43 7 x 1" and 1 x 1/2"
P450,P456 & H460,466 and 46 7 x 1"
H49 9 X 1" (some keels have 9 x 1" plus 1 x 3/4" aft)
Keel bolt sizes.........Socket size........... Torque
3/8"........................9/16"...............21 foot pounds
1/2" ........................3/4"...............45 foot pounds
3/4"........................1-1/8".............132 foot pounds
1" .........................1-1/2"...............325 foot pounds
1-1/4".....................1-7/8" .............546 foot pounds
Models Number of studs & size
H336 5 x 3/4", 1 x 1/2" and 1 x 3/8"
H340 2 x 1" and 3 x 1-1/4"
H356 2 x 1/2" and 6 x 1"
H37.5 7 x 1" and 1 x 3/8"
H37.6 7 x 1"
H40.5 3 x 1"
H410 7 x 1" and 1 x 1/2"
P42 & H43 7 x 1" and 1 x 1/2"
P450,P456 & H460,466 and 46 7 x 1"
H49 9 X 1" (some keels have 9 x 1" plus 1 x 3/4" aft)