Keel bolt dams?

[KingAirDriver]

If this has been visited before, please forgive me.

On the mid-size Catalina forum, I posted a comment about this.

I keep hearing folks talk about keel bolt crevice corrosion, damage etc.

I assume this damage occurs from being subject to constant moisture, salt water etc.

I had some left over PVC pipe from my turnbuckle covers.

I cut the scrap into 6 inch lengths and put them off to the side.

My intention was to get the bilge clean and dry, a coat of paint and then glue the pipes vertical over the top of the keel bolts with some 3M 4000 or 4200.

Would the effort to keep the keel bolts dry be worth it?

 

[31seahorse]

Interesting idea. I guess it wouldn't hurt. Tightening or removing the nuts on those keel bolts would then require a deeper socket or some extension on whatever would be used now.

 

[gpd955]

A problem that you may want to consider is that if you have seepage from the bolts, the water will pool in the PVC allowing your keel bolts to essentially sit in a cup of water. Without the PVC on there small amounts of water would spread out into the bilge and away from the bolts, whereas the same amount of water will fill that "plastic cup" much faster and it will be more difficult to completely dry the bolts since your access will be limited by the small space.

Don't want to see you lulled into a false sense of security when your think your bolts are dry and they're not.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Put the pipe over them, and then encapsulate it in wax. ?? Just a thought..

 

[Ray Bowles]

I would think that wax over the bolts would also restrict oxygen from getting to the metal.
Additionally, I wonder if the tubes would be prone to condensation from the humidity.
The idea is good enough that a trial run with a couple of tubes mounted as planned but next to the bolts rather than over to see what it does. Then decide whether or not it to try for real. I think that boats that are prone to keel bolt problems might be interested.
Ray

 

[KingAirDriver]

If you are getting seepage from the bolts themselves, that would enable you to identify and then rectify the problem. Sounds like a win win to me.

If the bolts/nuts stay dry Chris, I would think that keeping them that way would be best. Encapsulating them in wax might trap moisture against them.

I think that if it determined that the bolts are not seeping, and stay dry, I would want to get the bolts mildly warm with a heat gun directed down the tubes, and then pour melted/liquid wax down the tube to ensure the moisture is eliminated before encapsulation.

 

[Ted]

Keel bolt dams

If you are getting water in your bilge from leaking keel bolts, putting tubes over the exposed keel bolts will not prevent crevis corrosion. The big problem usually occurs at the joint between the keel and the hull or keel stub. If you look at a keel that has been removed from a boat that had a leaking keel bolt, you will notice that the most severe deterioration will be at the joint. Most good quality boat manufacturer's use 316 stainless steel bolts but others cheaped out and used inferior materials. If you are trying to prevent a mild steel bolt from rusting, your idea may work but that's not where your main concern should be.

 

[KingAirDriver]

My keel bolts are Stainless. I am 99% sure they don't leak. Most of the water in my bilge is coming from the packing gland.

 

[seadaddler]

Lube

I would just try keeping the bilge dry with new packing and just spray some anti corrisson on them,here in Florida running the AC my bilge most times has water in it.
The moist air here in Florida will get to it no matter what you do but some anti corrsion spray will help and that's why the bolts are stainless.
Nick

 

[bffatcat]

keel bolts

The Keel bolts on my 75 Pearson 26W are galvanized steel They dont leak. They never did.
My philosophy is If it aint broke dont fix it. As long as the bolts stay dry Im not going to touch them