Keel Bolts

[chambao]

I have just replaced all the rigging on my Cat 27. As I was languishing in self congratulation I routinely checked my keel bolts and to my dismay found
a teaspoon of seawater pooling around the forward keel bolt. The other three are dry. I'm not sure whether to simply tighten the bolt and add some sickaflex or haul her out and remove all 4 bolts. Anyone have any experience with this problem- and remedies? Thanks...Chris (anxiously awaiting a reply)

 

[dman535]

what year is the boat ?

 

[Stu Jackson]

Don't tighten keel bolts when the boat's in the water. You simply cannot pull anything up when the keel's hanging on the bolts. If you find it's leaking from there, haul and inspect and repair what you find. The year is important, as requested, because the older boats had wood under the mast, which is a whole 'nother issue.

 

[catalinia]

rusty bolts

I have a 78 cat. 27.

My bolts are so rusty i can chip away the nut .... and bolt is in bad shape!


Bilge is as dry as it can be though, not a drop!

I am very concerned about the bolts though and need to to do something..

I found the easiest remedy is to drill new bolts in bilge in with epoxy!

Any advice ?

Also did 1978 have steel or Lead keel ?



Thanks ... :theman: