Do keel bolts become loose?

[jdhohmann]

Epoxyed Keel Bolts

No because bilges are often filled with salt water. If the epoxy were to become perforated by a nick or scratch water could get under it and start eating away at the stainless. It also happens when a sealant fails and water gets trapped in between the keel and the bilge. Leaks are what cause the corrosion in those photos above..

I can say with reassurance that when we removed our keel off our 40' Hunter, the keel bolts were deffinetly stainless, and they were deffinetly epoxyed in. I cannot say whether or not this was done from the factory when the boat was built or whether or not the keel was removed at a previous time. Either way, the bolts were in great shape with NO corrosion at all!!!

 

[sailndive345]

I have always thought the biggest enemy of stainless steel is oxygen starvation... If the keel bolt is imbedded in epoxy, doesn't this cause issues in itself?

Fair winds,

Sailndive

 

[Ross]

I have always thought the biggest enemy of stainless steel is oxygen starvation... If the keel bolt is imbedded in epoxy, doesn't this cause issues in itself?

Fair winds,

Sailndive

The problem happens when the stainless steel is oxygen starved in the presence of an electrolite. That is when it can no longer heal its scratches.