Keel Torque Spec for 35.5 Legend 1990

[Steverhnm]

Has anybody pulled the nuts (one by one) and replaced washers, cleaned bolts etc on one of these boats? Interested to hear anyone's experience with this. I assume I can find the torque specs somewhere in this forum or at Hunter. What I would like to know is what your experience with the process might have been.

 

[Bill Roosa]

I would never do this unless there was a problem I was trying to fix. You would be doing what I like to call "asking for trouble"
There is the very real possibility that you will cause a leak.
Is there a specific problem?

 

[Steverhnm]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Well, other than the washers being all corroded, giving me pause on crevice corrosion. No, there are no leaks. I was interested in taking care of the bolts and washers before the washers fell apart and then gave the bolt room to move and the be an issue.

I don't have enough experience with big boats to know it the bolts in the picture are fairly normal or look like they need help.


Anyone else have an opinion?

 

[jeb21851]

another solution

I have a 1990 Hunter 35.5 and understand your concern about the rusting washers. Mine aren't rusting and I try to keep the bilge dry by routinely sponging out any water, drying the bolts/nuts and spraying them with WD-40. Having said that though, since yours are rusting you may want to just keep an eye on them and keep checking the nuts to ensure that they are tight. If the washers do waste away then I would simply tighten the nuts and consider putting another nut on the bolt over top of the existing nut. Or as an alternative, you could take two washers, cut away enough to slip them on the bolt underneath the nut and then retighten the bolt.Position the cut washers so the cutaway parts are opposite each other. Good luck with it....let me know what you eventually decide to do.

 

[artboas]

My opinion

Has anybody pulled the nuts (one by one) and replaced washers, cleaned bolts etc on one of these boats? Interested to hear anyone's experience with this. I assume I can find the torque specs somewhere in this forum or at Hunter. What I would like to know is what your experience with the process might have been.

If you were looking to freshen up your keel bolts and remove the rusted washers, perhaps wait until the boat is in its cradle.
That way the keel is fully supported, and won't be stressing at the keel joint.
Not sure why the washers are rusting, but I'd replace them with 316 grade stainless.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Yes, wait till she is out of the water.
putting a nut on top of the nut is a waist of time it will not effect the bearing of the washers and the nuts are not coming off so why do it. Cutting a washer to put under the old one is also a waist of time, just take the nut off and replace the washer. once the nut is loose the damage (if any) is done. No sense taking all day to cut the washer off while it is down in the keel.....
Also, if memory serves there are 3-4 more bolts under the galley countertop that are not shown in your picture. clearly you are only looking at the forward most part of the keel and cannot see the entire aft end of it without removing the galley counter.

 

[Bill Roosa]

And the washers don't look rusted enough to cause immediate concern.

 

[Steverhnm]

Keel Bolts

Thanks guys. I think I will put it on the B list for now. She will be on stands for most of the year initially so it shouldn't be a problem freshening up the bolts at some point. If/when I do I will make a post so others may benefit. I got the torque specs from Hunter.

 

[bananabender56]

I tried to move my keels boats while at the slip but very tight. The obvious time to check them is when your on the hard, sitting on the keel. If Hunter aren't forthcoming you could use the torque values for a 316 bolt of the size you have-there are tables on line.