keel fasteners

[b calllaway]

I own a '75 cat 22 and after hauling it out for the winter, I noticed that two of the four fastening bolts on the keel hanger were missing. I removed the fastener and reattached three of the four bolts, but the rear port side bolt would not take hold. I guess the original hole for the bolt had been too enlarged for the bolt to take purchase. I have sailed it once without this bolt and was wondering how safe it was and if there were any suggestions for remedy.

 

[roger cunningham]

keel bolts

Keel hanger bolts should be replaced every 2 years. Make sure you use good quality hardened s.s. bolts. Prior to installing them use a spray product from Loctite that primers the bolts for using Loctite. If you just put loctite on them it will not last and the bolts can come loose. They should all be torqued to 32 lbs. DON'T OVER TIGHTEN!As far as that 3rd bolt, I would simply tap out the hole and put in a bigger bolt. you could widen out the recessed hole in the hanger assembly for the head to fit down into. Hope that helps. Merry Christmas!

 

[greg]

heli-coil

You can purchase different size helicoils from an auto parts store. A heli coil looks like a spring. It is designed to be twisted into the stripped thread hole with a tool that comes with the kit. The helicoil grabs the sides of the stripped hole and then remains in the hole. The inside of the helicoil then becomes the "new" threads. Screwing a bolt into it makes it grab even harder. It is a workable and very strong solution. Helicoil kits run about $30.00 or less from almost any well stocked auto parts store.