keel bolts

[sean horrigan]

I am in the process of buying a 1976 catalina that has been repowered. The survey is coming up this week and would like to hear anyones experience with keel bolts. Is it an automatic that they will need replacing at this point, is it on a case by case basis and if they do need replacing what would a ballpark figure on the job be. My concern arises from the sight of frozen water under the flooboards on my own "novice" inspection. Any other input on older cats such as this would be appreciated. Thank You Sean Horrigan 508 870 1539

 

[Jon]

My experience

Sean,I bought a 1976 catalina 27 in 1999. At the time my surveyor took a look at the keel bolts and said they looked ok. I wire brushed the surface rust off and repainted them. I had my boat hauled for bottom painting in 2001 and took a look for the infamous catalina smile and was happy to find it missing. So in my case there was no problem with the original keel bolts, but if you look thru the archives here you'll find lots of examples where they needed to be replaced. Hopefully someone who has done it will respond and give you an idea of the job. Good Luck in buying your boat.

 

[Roger]

Just 'nuts'

Sean,When I got my 82 three years ago the surveyor said that the bolts were OK but that the nuts were wasted and insisted that they be replaced before the boat moved (it was on the hard). That was done by the PO, and everything has been fine since. But as was mentioned in the previous post, many have replaced, or augmented with lag bolts.I assume that the 'repowering' was removing an A4 gas engine and replacing with a diesel. I am curious which engine was put in?

 

[sean horrigan]

to just nuts on repwer

Roger I appreciate your response. The boat was repowered in 91 with an 18 hp yanmar. This made it very attractive. My last boat was an old morgan outisland 33 I was suprised at the lack of engine access in comparison.The catalina appears to be the perfect family boat for us (wife Rebecca and 3 year old daughter).

 

[sean horrigan]

Catalina smile

Jon I appreciate your response I was just wondering exactly what is the cat smile.

 

[Roger]

C27 list

Sean,The Catalina Smile is a small separation that often develops beween the hull stub and the lead keel at the forward end. Usually not structural, and there is lots of advice on what nto do about it.You need to join the C27 list on sailnet. ( c27-list@sailnet.net) Much more specific C27 talk. Also, there ain't a lot of us C27's in MA, so I hope to see you on the list, maybe even in Boston Harbor if I ever get the time to get there thru Woods Hole, the Canal, across Cape COd Bay, MA Bay etc. Or, you sail South!RogerC27#5012 &MabelBass River, West Dennis, Cape Cod

 

[Jon]

Catalina Smile

Roger described the smile really well, the only thing I'd add is that it is an indication that your keel bolts are not holding the keel as tight to the hull as they should be.On another note, my 1976 was also repowered to diesel but only to the 1GM10 Yanmar. I've found that to be sufficient, but certainly wouldn't say no to the extra horses. I was surprised to find a 1976 that someone spent the bucks on repowering and like you it was a definate selling point for me.