keel bolts

[Clive Bond]

I'm in the process of purchasing a Catalina 30(1977 model)with 5'6" draft. It had recently been sailed from US to Australia.It has many small blisters which I feel I can cope with by grinding and filling. However it has a hairline crack where the Keel joins the hull. When the weight was lowered onto the keel there was a dribble of water along the crack. I think that someone has previously tried to tighten the bolts.Can anyone tell me if the keel bolts are steel or Stainless steel? Can the bolts be easily replaced? If so - How? Is this a common Problem? Should I walk away from this boat? The rest of the yacht is in excellent condition and represents good value. Thanks, Clive. clivebond@hotmail.com

 

[Mike Turner]

Catalina Smile

Clive -- I can't tell you about the bolt metal, but the crack is the famed "Catalina Smile" -- very common; my surveyor on my '81 C30 said it was of no immediate consequence but should be repaired when I repaint the bottom/ repair minor blisters.Mike TurnerM/V Amity

 

[Joe Luciano]

Agree with Mike

I agree with Mike. I had the same thing on my '87 C-30. This is very common and my surveyor told me the same thing. The keel to hull joint is not something that would make you walk away from an otherwise great boat. I had mine out of the water last spring and ground it out, filled it with 5200 and re-launched. Will get a re-look at it later this spring. My keel bolts are stainless steel, but the earlier vintage were not and thus more prone to corrosion. I installed a shaft seal to keep my bilge dry and hopefully extend the keel bolt life even longer. Good luck!

 

[Peter Hine]

They're not stainless

In 1978 Catalina changed from using mild carbon steel to stainless in the keelbolts. As long as the bolts themselves are in reasonable shape, the standard refit is to replace the mild steel nuts with stainless, clean them up and cover them so water doesn't get to them. I recall that Catalina or Catalina Direct may have the replacement nuts. Many protect the bolts & nuts by epoxying over them, but I would be afraid if I ever needed afterward to tighten the bolts or otherwise service them. I'd be more inclined to paint them (maybe 2-part LPU), and check them regularly. The "smile" is a common problem that is usually not serious. Clean up the bolts, replace the nuts, and torque them down. As I recall, but don't take this as gospel 50-60 ft/lbs is the torque. Epoxy the smile crack, fair & fill, and go sailing!Good luck..

 

[Ron]

Install additional keel bolts

If you are in doubt about the existing keel bolts. You can get some new ones installed. (next to the originals). Catalina smile is not an issue.

 

[John]

My 75 Catalina 30 had several small "smiles". The fix was not difficult and can be done in the water if you split and remove one nut at a time. The recommended torque is 50 to 60 ft pounds. I'm trying Never-Seize to coat the nuts and studs and do keep a dry bilge. Good luck. John

 

[Bob]

same thing

I have a 77 Catalina that I have owned for 14 years. I added 1 bolt at the front of the keel and still every few years I must fix the smile again. Just scrape out whats loose and add more stuff, 5200, glass, marine tex, etc etcI've tried everything it all lasts a few years and you must fix it again.It never was a problem just paint over it and go sailing