Keel Bolt Question

[JoelHoover]

Hello All,

I've been away from the fun for a while (meaning living far inland), and will be returning to sea in a few months. I am on the hunt for either a fixed keel Catalina 22 or (preferably) a Columbia 22.

It will be my 4th and SMALLEST sailboat I've ever owned (very excited about the simplicity), but will be the 1st with actual keel bolts. I've had a Cal25, a Mac25, and a Cal34. All of those were wither encapsulated or swing keels.

So, my question is this: Are the bolts used to attach a keel readily available at places like Home Depot or (gag) West Marine, or do I need to do a pre-emptive internet hunt for these puppies now so when I get the boat in April I won't be waiting around?

A trivial question, perhaps, but if it's going to be a PITA then I am not against getting another Cal... or even another Mac.

I do like familiarity

 

[Cayennita]

Why do you think you'll need keel bolts right away. Many keel bolts are SS. Some like Beneteau use mild steel. The size bolts you are talking about are of a small diameter and probably readily available. Except that they were probably bent 90 degrees and the lead cast around them. Maybe you want the blots UT tested. Check torque on them. Google for torquing values.

 

[Bob McL]

Bolts are readily available at your local hardware store. You'll also need large washers and rubber washers (gaskets) to seal from water coming around the pivot hole. However, I noticed when I had mine out it did not seem like it came from a hardware store. When the nut was tightened fully, it was tight against the end of the threads (like a jam nut). Perfect fit - the seals were properly compressed without being over tightened. I think if I were to replace mine, I'd go through Blue Water Yachts and make sure I had the exact intended parts. But then, maybe my setup was just a coincidence.

Answer assumes you will have a Venture/Mac

 

[AtlanticAl]

The bolts going into those keels, can be as long as your arm. Usually made of stainless, with stainless nuts. I had a boat surveyed, and the keel bolts were very bad, i asked the surveyor how easy it would be to replace them, he said, "normally what is done, is you get an egineering company to come in, and drill new holes into the keel, they then cut threads into those holes, and put new bolts in, then put nuts onto the new bolts, and just leave the old ones in place" According to him, due to the lenghth of the bolts, and that often the keel is cast with the bolts in it, they are almost impossible to remove.

 

[CHM]

I have a 1988 Beneteau. The keel bolts are known to require replacement if not sealed and maintained. There were 3 of 8 or 9 which were corroded and for now, were cleaned up and sealed. The remaining bolts look good and are also sealed. Replacing them can be done one at a time unless a bolt head is snapped off. If that occurs, the keel needs to be dropped. Anyway, I have a cast iron keel so stainless is not recommended. It all depends on the keel material and you should also see if you have bolts vs nuts. I will order replacement set fro Beneteau as they are readily available and inexpensive. Good luck.

 

[Benny17441]

Keel bolts are not a regular maintenance item on a boat. They are either good or in dire need of replacement due to corrosion or they may have been struturally damaged by collision or grounding. They are just regular machined stainless bolts but be aware you ususually get what you pay for. Not all SS bolts are alike.

 

[JoelHoover]

Thanks for the replies guys.

It just seams like a very important thing to be on top of, and after 6 years of some serious sailing I should know more about this topic!

Plus, my first mate has left the sea to go to flight school in Tulsa, and my 2nd mate has moved inland to try his hand at the family business.

So, now my new first officer has four legs and a waggy tail and doesn't help much on board (although very useful at the dock for making new friends).

The need to have the boat in as tip top shape as possible now weighs on me greater than before because my girlfriend will kill me if something happens to the dog

 

[lillia28]

I had a Mac 2-22 for several years. there are two bolts, the keel hinge bolt and a locking bolt. The Keel bolts are regular stainless steel bolts, with a 3/8" or 1/2" shank if I remember. The Catalina set up is completely different, using a steel rod as an axle and a few smaller bolts to hold the assembly in the boat. The biggest issue is not the bolts, but the trunk sides which had a tendency to split. If you have the keel out, it is a good idea to reinforce the trunk. You can get "inside" the trunk from the forward dinnette seat. Many Macgregor dealers with still have parts for the older boats. Blue water yachts, I think it was sold me mine. Be careful as the "Locking bolts" are really thin (1/8 or less), and will bend easily and be nearly impossible to get out. My boat use a spare hinge bolt used as a locking bolt, much better idea. The 2-22 and the 25 use the same set up. You should see the heads of the bolts on the keel trunk, just below and aft of the compression post.The nuts are accessed from the dinette seat. Hope this helps.
lou