Keel Bolts

[Paul Rake]

Does anyone have experience replacing keel bolts on a Beneteau 44cc?

 

[Ross]

Does anyone have experience replacing keel bolts on a Beneteau 44cc?

Why do you want to do that?

 

[sand sailor]

are they loose??
are they broken??
does the keel move??

 

[kloudie1]

Check out the March 09 Cruising World Magazine. The "Projects" section has an article on this being done on a 1985 Beneteau First 375..

 

[Paul Rake]

No, no and no. However the heads on the middle four are deteriorating from rust at a rate that suggests they will soon be difficult to remove with a wrench.

 

[Ross]

No, no and no. However the heads on the middle four are deteriorating from rust at a rate that suggests they will soon be difficult to remove with a wrench.

What about the condition of the others? Could someone have slipped in some low grade nuts among the good ones? Is it just the nuts or also the bolts?

My approach at the very least would be to remove each nut in turn and inspect the bolt and install a new nut. Coat the bolt threads with thread sealant.

I think that at this point you have a visual indication of a problem but no knowledge of the extent of the problem.

 

[Mike B]

By any chance are the 4 rusted ones sitting in the vicinity of the bilge pump? If so there's a good chance they're rusting from the top down and you'd be right to want to swap them out. I can't speak for the 44CC but most Bennys have shallow bilges due to the way they lay up with the hull liner. If that's the case I'd call the factory and get both new bolts and their recommendation on how to reseal and torque specs. Good luck with it.
Mike