Keel bolts mkI

[mwill]

We purchased a 1985 catalina 36 mkI last year and are uncertain about the state of the keel bolts. The boat is in Toronto and has only been in fresh water and hauled out for 6-7 months of the year.

We noticed a small crack on keel which was repaired at the end of last season and apparently a smile was repaired by previous owner. We see a very small amount of water coming in through the kee bolts (the ones that are visible, 2 are hidden under diesel tank). We have not seen any rust. We are uncertain to what extent there may be a problem here that could cause danger while out sailing. How does one tell in what condition the bolts are without having to drop the keel? Also are owners generally concerned about the wood in keel stub and have it removed? Can we continue sailing for a few more years in fresh water?

 

[captcoho]

Hard to give a good answer not knowing how the smile might have been repaired.
First thought is if it's in the water now, sail it and keep an eye on everything.
Plan on hauling out early enough in late summer, early fall unlike a lot of people.
Then once on the hard, grind away bottom paint and dig out along the stub joint, preferably let it dry out over winter. In spring repair with G flex, fair with Watertite, and seal with Interprotect 2000, following the directions
Then torque keel bolt to spec, bottom paint and splash

 

[dmax]

If you have water coming in through the keel bolts then the adhesive/sealnt between the keel and the hull is failing. It's good that you don't see rust. A 1985 Catalina has plywood in the base of keel stub, if water gets to the plywood, it rots - this will produce brown water that looks like rust. Inspect the nuts on the keel bolts and make sure thay aren't sinking into the fiberglass (a sign that the plywood is rotten). If the plywood gets wet, you will need to dig it out and re-fiberglass. If all looks ok, do as captcoho says (dig out the seam as deep as you can) and keep an eye on it.

 

[mwill]

Thank you @captcoho and @dmax!. Really helpful! We spoke to a surveyor and his recommendation that was to drrill down into bilge to check the status of the wood. Have you had experience doing this, we are worried that once he drills and find wet wood that we wont be able to seal it again.

 

[dmax]

I don't have direct experience but there's a lot of info available on the web. You should consider joining the Catalina 36 association (Forums | Catalina 36/375 International Association) - a lot of direct experience there. Also the Catalina 34 association (Catalina 34 International Association, very similar boat) has a ton of info. You can always repair an exploratory hole with underwater epoxy if you have to, so don't worry about that.

 

[jssailem]

once he drills and find wet wood that we wont be able to seal it again.

Once you drill and find wet wood you know you have a serious problem that needs attention. You will need to remove the wet wood. make the repairs and then seal the whole shebang - presto good as new.

If you find dry wood then filling the drill hole with epoxy resin and then painting the patch with gelcoat will make the hole go away and it will be sealed.

Welcome to the SBO Forum.

 

[jssailem]

on joining the Catalina 36 and 34 associations. They know and share the secrets of their boats.

 

[Ward H]

Are you sure the water is seeping in from the keel bolts and not from other sources?
Are the keel cracks recurring after being fixed?
One common indicator of problems with the wood keel stub, besides a recurring smile or crack at the stub/keel joint, is sunken keel bolt washers. If the wood turns soft the keel bolt washers will begin to sink into the bottom of the bilge, allowing the keel to drop slightly causing the smile.
If you notice both of the indicators or do the drill test and find wet wood it is not a "haul out now before your keel falls off" situation. In fact, I've read that there are no reports of keels falling off unexpectedly. It's just good practice to watch for indicators of the issue and when you see them, plan for the repair when you're ready during your winter haul out.
Until then, enjoy sailing your boat.
Nice boat by the way. I spent a couple of weeks on a C36 with @jssailem and Les Troyer sailing in the Pac NW a few years back.
Ward