LEAKING KEEL BOLTS-ADVICE??

[Chris Jacobsen]

When I took my 27 out sailing a few days ago, the bilge had about 2 gallons of water in it after sailing. I pumped the bilges and compartments between the bilges prior to going out. It looked like two of the middle keel bolts were weeping, but it must get worse when the boat is on a heel. I do not have a diesel in my 27, and no leakage is coming from any of the thru-hulls or scupper fittings. As an added note, there is a low pitched thump occasionally when the boat gets on a heel (oil canning??). I checked the keel bolts and was able to tighten them a few flats. However, the forward starboard keel bolt showed little resistance when I turned it. The bolt does not turn with the nut, but it rises when the nut is tightened... It also can be flexed side to side, and I do not believe it is anchored any longer in the keel.Are the keel bolts studs that can be re-threaded into the keel, or were they placed in the keel when it was cast? If I have to replace it, can a single keel bolt be re-placed water-borne. Would it be better to drill a new hole just aft of the current keel bolt (thru the steel hat section), and into the lead, tap it, and insert a new high quality stainless bolt with some 4200 compound? I own a 1981 Hunter 27 with the diesel removed. The keel bolts all appear to be in good condition.

 

[Richardin52@hotmail.com]

What I would recommend

Take a ball pean hammer and rap the top of the keel bolts the hammer should bounce off the bolts right back at you. If it doesn't then you most likely have problems.If you have a keel bolt that is coming out when you turn it, it needs replacing. nowI have heard of some people putting in large lag bolts as a replacement for keel bolts in a lead keel. Whatever you do I would do it with the boat out of the water and I would recaulk the keel. My H 27 does not oil can and is very stiff so I wonder if the noise you hear is keel flex because of bad keel bolts. Whatever it is I would make sure the keel bolts are all good or replace them and I would recaulk the keel before I waited too long. If you had a leak around the keel and that was all I would say you could just clean out the old caulking and recaulk. But it sounds like you have more problems than bust a leaky keel and I would think it would be a good idea to drop the keel and check out everything.