keel bolt important?

[Jeff]

I have noticed on our 26 that the keel bolts, once clean and dry and solid, have corroded quite a bit. What looks like metal straping that ran between the bolts has all but disolved.Obviously the bolts are important... I am just wondering how fast I should be moving to replace them. I don't even know if the bolts are weakened, I am only guessing because of the decay of the strapping. If they were to fail, would it be all at once, or perhaps I would notice a gap forming between hull and keel?Any thought appreciated.

 

[David Guthridge]

Keel bolts

JeffI have a Pearson 26 I bought 2 years ago. Inoticed on the surveyor's report that the keel bolts had been replaced back in 1992 due to rusting. He said they should last 15 years. Those bolts are the only thing holding your keel to the boat. Keels don't float!! If the bolts fail due to rusting or a grounding then it is lost forever!! Haul the boat and replace those bolts. It's not to expensive just to replace bolts. Replacing a keel may cost more than the boat is worth.