Keel bolt repairs

[Before the Bell]

Per my last topic/article I'm wondering if anyone can provide me with a step by step process of replacing two of my six keel bolts. I believe the front two are loose and dislodged.Thanks,Mark

 

[PaulK]

What did you hit?

Fixing keelbolts is not easy. If the front two are loose, there may be a gap between the keel and the hull. That will need filling and/or sealing offf. How are they loose? Have the tops pulled down into or through the bilge, or have they been pulled up, out of the keel? Are they sheared off down inside somewhere? To repair loose keelbolts might require digging them out and re-pouring lead around the keel end. It might be simpler to leave the loose bolts loose and simply add a couple of new ones to take the load instead. This is a good question to ask your your boat's builder. Be prepared for costs of a good percentage of your boat's worth.

 

[Before the Bell]

Regarding keel bolts

Bolts are in place, I didn't hit anything as this is a used boat I bought, bolts may be ok, it might be my imagination however, there is a gap and initially I attempted to tighten the two front bolts and they seemed stripped so I stopped. I think my next course of action would be to continue to try to tighten them, the gap has been filled with 5200 and marinetex. Thanks

 

[Bayard Gross]

Blueprint for Catalina 27

Here's a lionk for a blueprint from Catalina for repair of keel bolts on their Catalina 27.Not sure how it will apply to you, but it can be informative.