Hunter 34 keel bolts

[Colibri]

I have an ‘86 H34. The keel bolts, actually they are 1 1/4” stainless steel studs with nuts over stainless backing plates, appear to be in good condition. I inspect them frequently and keep’em clean. I checked torque in 2020 and was able to snug a couple just a tiny bit.

I repaired a keel smile a couple of years ago and I’m concerned about crevice corrosion on the two studs at the fore of the keel - located in the shower pan. I’ve researched here and the internet/YouTube, etc. and can’t find any info on dropping the H34 keel. Though there’s tons of info on dropping keels, both lead and iron, it seems most studs in iron keels are mild steel, not stainless. And all of the photos and videos I’ve seen show quite a number of studs in the keel.
My first question is, how many bolts/studs are there? I count only 5 on mine. Two at the fore, two in the main bilge toward the aft end of the keel, and one at the aft end. (I can’t seem to find a definitive answer). I used an endoscope to look forward from the bilge through the limber holes and don’t see any under the sole. And I didn’t see any in photos where folks replaced their sole. Are there really only 5?
Second question - are the studs threaded into the cast iron keel? And if so, has anyone successfully unscrewed one to replace it?
Stainless steel threaded into cast iron for 38 years might be a problem. There are a number of suggested techniques to remove mild steel studs. But I find nothing on removing stainless studs.
Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide!

 

[dLj]

First question that comes to mind - are you sure you don't have a lead keel? I thought most Hunters from that time period used lead keels.

Second question, got photos of your keel bolts?

dj

 

[Colibri]

Thanks for the quick reply DJ.
The keel is cast iron.
The studs are stainless.
I’m hoping to get a response from someone with personal experience or can provide a link or contact info to someone that has dropped an H34 keel and successfully replaced one of these studs.
Dropping and rebedding a keel is not a small job. I need specific information before proceeding. A link to shop drawings or blueprints. Are the studs threaded into the keel? That seems most likely. Did Hunter use a thread compound to inhibit a seizure?

Hunter produced hundreds of the H34. You would think someone, somewhere dropped the keel and replaced those studs.
I’ve spent untold hours scouring the internet and can’t find anything specific to the H34.
It’s possible the studs are fine. But if one does need to be replaced, I want to know how it was done before I start a job like that.
It may be that someone was able to unscrew the studs from inside the boat without dropping the keel by using a jamb nut. But if the stud is severely compromised it will likely snap off. Murphy’s Law dictates it will snap off flush with the keel.
IF a stud is severely corroded and IF there is sufficient material left above the keel and IF Hunter used a thread compound when the studs were installed, and I apply Kroil to soak for a week, then MAYBE it’s possible to put a 48” pipe wrench on it with an 8’ cheater pipe and MAYBE just MAYBE unscrew the stud from the keel.
Or, maybe someone has done this before and can provide specific information.
Thanks again.

 

[Colibri]

I have a friend with a Beneteau 373. Beneteau uses an iron keel. They use stainless steel bolts with square “washers” to anchor the keel to the hull. They also use a thread compound to inhibit a bolt seizure. They are quite easy to remove.
There are a number of YouTube videos of folks dropping Beneteau keels. There are a number of videos of folks dropping lead keels and iron keels with mild steel studs. I can find no video or article of someone dropping an H34 keel.

 

[kloudie1]

For sure cast iron for the old 34's.. I am pretty sure that 5 is the number, Colibri. Two at the head, two aft of the main bilge and one just forward of the engine box...

 

[kloudie1]

Probably a lot of bedding to get through because of how the keel has wide "wings" at the top to give it a large footprint.. Much more sturdy/stable than a normal keel with the footprint limited to the keel chord width. I have not heard of anyone dropping the keel on these boats.

 

[dLj]

@Colibri - yeah - right after I posted that question I realized I was thinking of the earlier hunters. Maybe @Crazy Dave Condon knows how those keels/keel bolts were put in.

The picture sure looks good of the one you've posted. Where do you plan to sail that you are concerned with loosing your keel? It would seem to me, unless you are planning on crossing oceans and will be off shore for extended time frames, just keeping an eye on your previous fix would give plenty of advance warning if there was some sort of problem. Checking torque once a year would also give an indication if a bolt was failing.

Unless I had a tangible indication those keel bolts were beginning to break, I would leave them as they are.

dj

 

[BAD ORCA]

Might be worth taking a drive to your local boat yard if you have a good one nearby and discussing it with them. They might be able to answer these questions for you since they will have done this on other boats. Also, they will be the ones likely making an assessment and giving advice once they see what everything looks like.

 

[Colibri]

Thanks Kloudie and DJ! I’ve read lots of your posts. DJ, you are probably right in that I am worrying about a non-issue. And I’ll keep an eye on them for sure.
I sail in Galveston Bay where the average depth is about 9 feet. And I’d never take her further than 20 miles offshore in the Gulf. I tell guests that if for some reason she springs a leak, just stand on the cabin top and she’ll settle in the mud. They probably won’t get their feet wet. The ship channel is dredged to 45 feet. There are a few places that are 12 feet. But most of the bay is pretty shallow.
My buddy with the Beanie-Toe 373 has a 6 1/2’ keel. There are days he can’t get out of his slip. It’s a beautiful boat and fun to sail. But that deep keel can be a problem in the bay.
I have the shoal draft keel. Been in the mud only once. Backed out no problem.
The H34 is a great little boat for light air. She’s easy to handle up to 20 knots or so. We’ve been on the bay in 35 knots and the chop just beats you up. She’s just not made for it.

 

[Colibri]

Thanks Bad Orca. We have several good yards here and I know all of them and several of the contractors. None have mentioned it. Sometimes I get these nagging thoughts and next thing you know I’m planning a major project.

I doesn’t help that I like working on stuff.

 

[dLj]

I’ve been on the bay in 35 knots and the chop just beats you up. She’s just not made for it.

35 knots and chop - neither boat nor human are made for that...

dj

 

[Colibri]

Thank you, Gentlemen

Merry Christmas to all!

 

[kappykaplan]

Merry Christmas to all!

Same to you and yours, Colibri!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Hunter did not extrude the keels. As a dealer, I never saw a keel made. However, call the forum store and talk with Mike to see if he can remember who extruded your keel. They maybe they might still be in buisness but probably not. Mars Metals in Canada did extrude keels for Hunter. Maybe they could answer your question but it would be worth a try.

The suggestion going to a marine yard handling sailboats is a good suggestion. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful

 

[Colibri]

Thanks Dave. When I read about Mars Metals I thought about giving them a call. Even if they didn’t cast this keel, I feel sure they could help answer some questions.

 

[BAD ORCA]

Thanks Dave. When I read about Mars Metals I thought about giving them a call. Even if they didn’t cast this keel, I feel sure they could help answer some questions.

Yeah i have talked with Bill at Mars several times. He really seems to know his stuff, although he is a salesman's, salesman and will try to get you to send him the keel to fix He will patiently answer your questions though.