Keel bolts rusted

[Jim London]

I own a 1975 Catalina 30 hull #141 and since owning the boat I have not figured out how to solve the rusted keel bolts. The nuts and washers are almost gone as is the visable threads and probably the threads inside the nuts.I once heard that Catalina had a repair kit for these boats that involved drilling new holes and using long stainless studs. I have not been able to locate this kit as I'm being told Catalina no longer sells this repair kit. Any ideas or solutions I don't know of?We keep the boat in San Diego and it has always been in saltwater.

 

[Bob Horvath]

Wealth of Knowledge

Jim,A lot has been written about rusted keel bolts. Do a search on "keel bolts" and "Catalina Smile". The Forum Archives also have a lot of useful information.best of luck, bob

 

[R.W.Landau]

Catalina

Did you actually call Catalina?If you did not, they are the best in customer service. If they don't have something, they will normally tell you where to get it.Justin is going through this with his 25 catalina.He found Catalina extremely helpful.r.w.landau

 

[Bill Lucas]

Nut splitter

I have a 77 27 and replaced the nuts and washers with stainless. As long as there's still thread under the nuts you should be ok. Some had to be ground off with a dremel and grinding wheel. Where I couldn't get in with the tools I had to use a nut splitter, brute force with deep sockets and a breaker bar. Catalina has specs on what you need to do to "replace" these but it would probably be easier to buy a new boat.