Catalina keel stub.

[Jon W.]

I’m trying to verify whether or not the current generations of Catalina’s use any wood in the keel stub, if anyone knows. Specifically the C310. I saw some information that indicted that they stopped using wood about 15 years ago. I’m not sure what they use now as filler. I could ask Catalina, but then I wouldn’t have the fun of getting different opinions.I’m dealing with a very minor moisture problem at the aft keel bolt. No visible water, just some slight rust. The bolt hole is oversized, so I’m thinking of putting the thin version of 4200 down there to seal the bolt after I dry it out as best I can.I also should check on the recommended torque for reassembly. The nuts were on firm, but not especially tight.

 

[Alchemist]

Wood went away some time about 1990

My '87 C-30 had what looked like mahagony (sp?) in the keel sump. It could have been teak, but it didn't look like that to me. I had this wood removed some time in about 1998 - 2000 (or slightly before) to cure a problem with the keel (didn't work, needed to do a different fix the next year). At the time, I was told that Catalina Yachts no longer was using wood in the keel sumps due to rotting of the wood when it got wet.From this, I would be surprised if your keel sump contained any wood. If you really want to know, get out your drill and check.As for fixing your possible water insursion around the back keel bolt, you might want to try 3M 4200 instead of 5200. If worse comes to worst, that should seal the leak and still allow you to remove the keel without destroying the sump.SteveAlchemist C-30T #4764Alchemist C-320 #909

 

[R. Gresham]

Pre-1988

See link

 

[Jon W.]

Thank you gentlemen.

NM