keel bolts

[laughing chance]

Inspected the boat yesterday and discovered the port front keel bolt on my C 25 has sheared off. I'm the 3rd owner of 2 yrs and have no reason to believe the bolts have ever been replaced since new in '83.
The broken bolt will need to be drilled out and probably the others as well.

I figure its a good time to repair and replace the pivot pin, etc and have the keel sanded and faired (much rust and some pitting).

The shop wants $90/hr. Anyone have any experience with this ?
Estimated cost, time, etc?

 

[Stu Jackson]

You probably want to talk to the "experts" on your C25

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=3

 

[Joe Diver]

Please do come on over to the National Association and forums....best source of info specific to the C25 you will find!

If you have a swing keel and the hardware has never been replaced, it must be done ASAP. It had to have been done at some point, as I think something would have failed by now...you've had it for 2 years.....it is recommended to inspect closely, every part of it, annually. Complete replacement of hardware, cables, etc...every 5 years I think. I have a fixed keel, not a swinger but there's plenty of swinger owners in the C25 forums.

If the keel is up and the cable or attaching hardware fails, the keel could free fall to the down position, causing major damage to the boat, possibly sinking it. This is no joke and is a serious maintenance item for swing keel owners. If you have any doubts as to the condition of your swing keel components, you need to get that boat out of the water and inspected/repaired.