Guidance for a 1970 Columbia 26 MK2

[seatrail]

Hello,

Can't seem to find any information when I do a quick search.

Recently bought a 1970 Columbia 26 Mk2 and I noticed the keel bolts are rusted. I am hoping to replace them but can find little to no information specific to the boat. It is a cast iron keel as well.

I hope to either get someone to do it (someone said it was costly but then didn't give a price) or maybe DIY though I am handy but not handy all at the same time.

Appreciate any thoughts or guidance,

Cheers

Apologise if this topic has been covered somewhere before

 

[jssailem]

According to sailboat data.com

COLUMBIA 26 MK 2 - sailboatdata

Shoal draft model: 3.16’/.96m Thanks to Michael Giblin for providing an owner’s manual. Thanks to Ed Ramsey II for providing corrections and additional information.

sailboatdata.com

Ballast Type:

Cast Iron

Are the bolts destroyed or is it just the nuts?
You need a competent boat builder who can work with steel and iron.

 

[seatrail]

According to sailboat data.com

COLUMBIA 26 MK 2 - sailboatdata

Shoal draft model: 3.16’/.96m Thanks to Michael Giblin for providing an owner’s manual. Thanks to Ed Ramsey II for providing corrections and additional information.

sailboatdata.com

Ballast Type:

Cast Iron

Are the bolts destroyed or is it just the nuts?
You need a competent boat builder who can work with steel and iron.

As far as I know, they are intact. It seems like the bolt head is just rusted, will take some pictures and post when I get a chance.

 

[jssailem]

Sounds like you got a chance.
I assume you on the hard?
With the boat resting on the keel you can inspect that it is properly sitting on the hull.
In that position you can try changing the nuts one at a time.

 

[higgs]

I am going to guess that bringing in a pro may exceed the value of the boat. I would remove the nuts and if the threads underneath look good I would replace the nuts and go sailing. If the nuts are hard to get off start with soaking them in PC Blaster and failing that use a propane torch to heat things up.

 

[jssailem]

Heat the nut not the shaft.

But give the penetrating oil a chance to work. PB blaster may work but I find the odor unpleasant. I have found Kriol to work with a less offensive smell.

 

[seatrail]

Sounds like you got a chance.
I assume you on the hard?
With the boat resting on the keel you can inspect that it is properly sitting on the hull.
In that position you can try changing the nuts one at a time.

I am currently not on the hard, but I will definitely be trying to get there sooner rather than later. The only place I can do this will require a multi-day sail.

 

[seatrail]

I am going to guess that bringing in a pro may exceed the value of the boat. I would remove the nuts and if the threads underneath look good I would replace the nuts and go sailing. If the nuts are hard to get off start with soaking them in PC Blaster and failing that use a propane torch to heat things up.

I would say bringing in a pro would exceed the value, but with a little TLC, she will be in good working order...hopefully. Will try the pen oil first, wonder if I can get the PC Blaster in Canada.

 

[Davidasailor26]

According to sailboat data.com

COLUMBIA 26 MK 2 - sailboatdata

Shoal draft model: 3.16’/.96m Thanks to Michael Giblin for providing an owner’s manual. Thanks to Ed Ramsey II for providing corrections and additional information.

sailboatdata.com

Ballast Type:

Cast Iron

Are the bolts destroyed or is it just the nuts?
You need a competent boat builder who can work with steel and iron.

I thought with cast iron keels it was more common to have true keel bolts than just nuts. Lead keels usually have threaded studs cast into the keel with just nuts in the bilge.

 

[east coaster]

PC blaster is available in Canada at home depot, Canadian tire, home hardware, princess auto, any auto parts place and likely at London drugs on the west coast. It has been out here on the east coast for a long time, therefore everyone else has had it available since Noah's ark.

 

[colemj]

I used to own one of these. The keel bolts have nuts on the inside. On ours, these had rusted pretty badly, but upon removing them, the bolt itself was in great shape. The keel was mounted with a mild steel channel across the keel bolts, and this rusts away. It isn't necessary, and replacing with large thick washers is fine. Since you don't mention it, it is likely long gone on yours anyway, with the remnants probably still under the nuts.

There is a Columbia website with some information: Columbia Yacht Owners Association

One of the C26 Mk2 owners there used to have a website linked with a ton of information, including replacing keel bolts. However, I see that is now a broken link. His name is Blair Arden, so perhaps some googling can get you in touch with him. Here is a link to a brief description of his keel bolt replacement: Keelbolt Repair

Mark

 

[seatrail]

I used to own one of these. The keel bolts have nuts on the inside. On ours, these had rusted pretty badly, but upon removing them, the bolt itself was in great shape. The keel was mounted with a mild steel channel across the keel bolts, and this rusts away. It isn't necessary, and replacing with large thick washers is fine. Since you don't mention it, it is likely long gone on yours anyway, with the remnants probably still under the nuts.

There is a Columbia website with some information: Columbia Yacht Owners Association

One of the C26 Mk2 owners there used to have a website linked with a ton of information, including replacing keel bolts. However, I see that is now a broken link. His name is Blair Arden, so perhaps some googling can get you in touch with him. Here is a link to a brief description of his keel bolt replacement: Keelbolt Repair

Mark

Amazing, sounds like a fun job lol I appreciate the information

How difficult was it to remove the bolt?

Hopefully I can get her on the hard sooner then later. Or do one at a time?

 

[jssailem]

When you said you would have to travel for a multi-day sail, I went to your avatar and discovered you are at the North end of Vancouver Island.

That is a place I want to travel to. If not this year, perhaps next.

Where are you considering taking your boat, Campbell River, or Nanaimo?

 

[seatrail]

It is a beautiful place.

The closest place would be CR though I've heard rumors someone might come up this way.

Will be doing my basic cruising standard in June in CR heading up to Desolation Sound.

Exciting times!!!

 

[Richard19068]

If heat and penetrating oil treatments don't do the job is that something a nut splitter might be appropriate for? I've considered them in the past but never used one.