Keel bolts/rudder autopilot?

[Scott C.]

I am new to sailing, I have had my I28 for about 6 months and have noticed that my keel bolts are corroded but it seems to be only surface corrosion I grinded on them a little and the corrosion seems to be about a 1/8 of an inch or less thick is this an issue? Also what is a good tiller autopilot for this boat.
Scott

 

[Barnacle Bill]

I used to own an Islander 28 and had a tiller pilot by AutoHelm. Worked just fine and the install was super easy. It seems that 1/8" of deterioration on your keel bolts is a bit much. Are you saying that you cannot move the nuts on the threaded rod because of material has corroded away?

 

[Scott C.]

I used to own an Islander 28 and had a tiller pilot by AutoHelm. Worked just fine and the install was super easy. It seems that 1/8" of deterioration on your keel bolts is a bit much. Are you saying that you cannot move the nuts on the threaded rod because of material has corroded away?

Well the nut appears to be ss so it has no corrosion, I didnt try and turn it but took a dremel and with the grinding bit ground a little bit on the tip of some of the bolts and right away saw shiny steel underneath it could have been a 1/16th of an inch I really just geussed. I love this boat to death and want to keep her in the best shape possible. She is really easy for me to sail by myself and I have done so even in ROUGH weather like 30 knots sustained with gusts up in the 40's and I maintained control of the boat. I want to keep her and do some long distance stuff because of the confidence I have in her.
scott