Loose keel bolt

[Bare Aweigh]

I'm trying to find out how the keel bolts are secured to the lead keel on my 1987 Oday 28. I've looked through the archives but couldn't find the answer.

I hauled out the boat and had the bottom repainted. While waiting for other repairs I noticed that some water oozed out of the bedding material where the lead keel butts up to the bottom of the boat. It's streaked down the fin in several places. I had the boat yard try to tighten the keel bolts, but one of them seems to be pulling out of the lead. We're not sure how the bolts were secured in the lead, so we're not sure how to proceed.

Has anyone any knowledge of their construction, or how I might find out how they were constructed?

Thanks, Mike

 

[Shoaldrafter]

call Rudy

There are probably some on the forum who can answer your question, but while waiting for an answer, call Rudy at D & R.

If you do not get answer, find local marine surveyor. Be willing to pay him a few dollars for his expertize.

Ed K
26

 

[Bare Aweigh]

talked to Rudy

I talked to Rudy and Oday cast "J" bolts into the lead keel of the later 28s.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Scott On Eagles Wings]

Go to the "Ask all Sailors"

section of the forum and post there. You will get allot more responses and help to your question. Check the archives for a gentelman that goes by Mainesail. He has posted many times with pictures and good information . I have a 23 with an encapsulated keel so I can offer you no help. Good Luck

 

[Bare Aweigh]

dropping keel

I took Scott's advise an posted in the "ask all sailors". The general feeling is that the keel needs to be dropped. After tightening the bolts and having a problem with the bolt appearing to be pulling out of the keel, I filled the bilge with water to see if any seals had been broken. I've never had an indication of any leakage into the bilge, but the water I put in it migrated to the seam and started weeping again.

So dropping the keel will let me find out what's happening to the bolts, and I hope the re-bedding will make everything water tight.

One thing that came up in the other thread was plywood being used in the construction of the keel stub. Some sailers mentioned that there have been problems with the plywood getting wet in some boats. Does anyone know if Oday used plywood construction on the keel stub, specifically on the 1987 Oday 28??

Thanks

Mike