Keel Bolts on 1970s Catalina 27
- Thread starter endlessbreeze
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Run .............................
....................... don't walk away from this boat.
a) Keel bolts are supposed to be SS. These are obviously not.
b) There is no way of safely attaching the anchor without melting the lead keel and placing new SS anchor bolts in the casting. Perhaps a little excessive.
Anchor bolts are placed deep within the casting for a reason. There's a lot of weight and you don't want to have the keel drop off :cry:.
If you don't see this boat again, it'll be far too soon
.
....................... don't walk away from this boat.
a) Keel bolts are supposed to be SS. These are obviously not.
b) There is no way of safely attaching the anchor without melting the lead keel and placing new SS anchor bolts in the casting. Perhaps a little excessive.
Anchor bolts are placed deep within the casting for a reason. There's a lot of weight and you don't want to have the keel drop off :cry:.
If you don't see this boat again, it'll be far too soon
.
Wait a minute..... Let me pop in with another perspective...
Stainless can rust, 304 in particular rusts rather easily, like was used on these early boats. One cannot with a broad gesture simply say if bolts are rusted that they are not stainless steel.
One does not need to melt the lead keel to sister-in new keel bolts either. There are keel re-fastening kits available form numerous places. Basically big lag bolts. The procedure is relatively straight-forward.
For a 70's C27, the bigger issue is the condition of the wood in the keel stub. One needs to get to the wood and determine if it is rotten or soild. The repair to replace the wood is not too difficult, yet tedious and it is well documented here and elsewere. A search will turn up forum threads detailing it.
If the boat is world-class, well maintained, has lots of properly-installed options, one might not need to run from this boat but rather asses the work requred to repair the keel, compared to the asking price.
If however the boat is neglected, tattered sails, requiring lots of work, you might consider walking politely away, or bookmarking it for further consideration of the price can be lowered to make the deal satisfactory to you.
Endless, is there any way you can get pics of the rusty bolts so that other people more knowledgable than me on the topic who have done the repair might chime in?
Stainless can rust, 304 in particular rusts rather easily, like was used on these early boats. One cannot with a broad gesture simply say if bolts are rusted that they are not stainless steel.
One does not need to melt the lead keel to sister-in new keel bolts either. There are keel re-fastening kits available form numerous places. Basically big lag bolts. The procedure is relatively straight-forward.
For a 70's C27, the bigger issue is the condition of the wood in the keel stub. One needs to get to the wood and determine if it is rotten or soild. The repair to replace the wood is not too difficult, yet tedious and it is well documented here and elsewere. A search will turn up forum threads detailing it.
If the boat is world-class, well maintained, has lots of properly-installed options, one might not need to run from this boat but rather asses the work requred to repair the keel, compared to the asking price.
If however the boat is neglected, tattered sails, requiring lots of work, you might consider walking politely away, or bookmarking it for further consideration of the price can be lowered to make the deal satisfactory to you.
Endless, is there any way you can get pics of the rusty bolts so that other people more knowledgable than me on the topic who have done the repair might chime in?
Catalina 27 keel problems
Phil -
In my opinion you're being a bit harsh on an otherwise really good boat for anyone with modrate DIY skills and interest. I have an '81 C27TM with diesel. The keel bolts apprear to be stainless and are relatively rust free. However, the nuts appeared not to be SS. Removing them was a PIA,but quite doable. I was told by Catalina that If you torqued the nuts to 80-85 ft lbs. with l ittle or no depresioon of the bilge sole the wood core was most likely ok. If removal of the core is deemed necessary they have an instruction drawing dated 2.10.96 titled KEEL STUB WOOD REMOVAL PROCEEDURE - TYPICAL PRE 1988 MODEL. Although I have not found a need to try it, it doesn't look like too bad of a job.
I find the boat to be just right on Lake Ontario and probably also for coastal sailing. In fact I have read of at least on circumnavigation with a C27. It handles very well in 3-5 foot seas, yet moves right along in light air. The little 11 HP universal diesel is great, and the below deck design is effecient and very comfortable for a boat of her size.
Gene Fuller
ESCAPADE II C27TM #4816
Phil -
In my opinion you're being a bit harsh on an otherwise really good boat for anyone with modrate DIY skills and interest. I have an '81 C27TM with diesel. The keel bolts apprear to be stainless and are relatively rust free. However, the nuts appeared not to be SS. Removing them was a PIA,but quite doable. I was told by Catalina that If you torqued the nuts to 80-85 ft lbs. with l ittle or no depresioon of the bilge sole the wood core was most likely ok. If removal of the core is deemed necessary they have an instruction drawing dated 2.10.96 titled KEEL STUB WOOD REMOVAL PROCEEDURE - TYPICAL PRE 1988 MODEL. Although I have not found a need to try it, it doesn't look like too bad of a job.
I find the boat to be just right on Lake Ontario and probably also for coastal sailing. In fact I have read of at least on circumnavigation with a C27. It handles very well in 3-5 foot seas, yet moves right along in light air. The little 11 HP universal diesel is great, and the below deck design is effecient and very comfortable for a boat of her size.
Gene Fuller
ESCAPADE II C27TM #4816
Ralph is the one being unduly harsh in my opinion! He says don't walk, run. I disagree having resurrected several boats others have written off.Escapade II said:
I love my C27 and look forward to hitting the water with it. A previous owner already did the keel in my boat, so I am lucky, but personally wouldn't hesitate.
Those Hunter guys just got no stomach for a little honest work!
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